Evidence for Extinction Variability in T Tau and Haro 6-10

Tracy Beck
Astronomy Group, SUNY Stony Brook

To study the infrared companion (IRC) phenomenon, we have monitored the near
infrared and 3 micron ice-band flux of the T Tau and Haro 6-10 systems.  We
find significant near infrared flux variations and variability in ice-band
absorption toward the IRCs and the Haro 6-10 visible star on time scales of
a few months.  Our results suggest that the observed variation of the T Tau
IRC and the Haro 6-10 visible light star is caused partially by changes in
obscuration, but the variability of the Haro 6-10 IRC is more complicated.
Data obtained from the Harvard College Observatory plate archives suggests
that variable obscuration also played an important role in the historical
variability of the T Tauri system