Natural Coronagraphic Observations of the Eclipsing T Tauri System KH 15D: Evidence for Accretion and Bipolar Outflow in a WTTS

We present high resolution (R ∼ 44,000) UVES spectra of the eclipsing premain sequence star KH 15D covering the wavelength range 4780 to 6810 Å obtained at three phases: out of eclipse, near minimum light and during egress. The system evidently acts like a natural coronagraph, enhancing the contrast relative to the continuum of hydrogen and forbidden emission lines during eclipse. At maximum light the Hα equivalent width was ∼2 Å and the profile showed broad wings and a deep central absorption. During egress the equivalent width was much higher (∼70 Å) and the broad wings, which extend to ± 300 km/s, were prominent. During eclipse totality the equivalent width was less than during Based on Ultraviolet-Visual Echelle Spectrograph observations collected at the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope via Director’s Discretionary Time, within the observing program P267.C5736. Physics Department, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459