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Published March 1, 2004 | Published
Journal Article Open

KH 15D: Gradual Occultation of a Pre-Main-Sequence Binary

Abstract

We propose that the extraordinary "winking star" KH 15D is an eccentric pre-main-sequence binary that is gradually being occulted by an opaque screen. This model accounts for the periodicity, depth, duration, and rate of growth of the modern eclipses; the historical light curve from photographic plates; and the existing radial velocity measurements. It also explains the rebrightening events that were previously observed during eclipses and the subsequent disappearance of these events. We predict the future evolution of the system and its full radial velocity curve. Given the small velocity of the occulting screen relative to the center of mass of the binary, the screen is probably associated with the binary and may be the edge of a precessing circumbinary disk.

Additional Information

© 2004 American Astronomical Society. Received 2003 December 17; accepted 2004 January 20; published 2004 February 12. We are very grateful to Cesare Barbieri, Scott Gaudi, Catrina Hamilton, Bill Herbst, Marc Kuchner, Lucas Laursen, Francesca Rampazzi, Dimitar Sasselov, Brad Schaefer, and Martin Winn for helpful discussions and assistance. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 0104347.

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