CLUMPY ACCRETION ONTO PRE-MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS

Medium-resolution spectroscopic observations covering the range 5150-9100 angstrom have been made of five pre-main-sequence stars in the Corona Australis star-forming region. They are the known variable stars R CrA, S CrA, T CrA, TY CrA, and VV CrA. During the period of observation, 1990 September 3-10, significant changes, sometimes occurring between successive nights, were observed in the spectra of R CrA and S CrA. They are interpreted as being due to variable accretion onto the star. Velocities have been measured and confirm that we do not see the photosphere of R CrA in this region of the spectrum. Photospheric absorption lines are observed in S CrA, T CrA, and TY CrA. In VV CrA only Li I-lambda-6708 is detected. The velocity variation of TY CrA is demonstrated. An infrared (J: 1.2-mu-m) image of VV CrA is reproduced which shows the infrared companion 1."9 NE of the primary star.