# # Program information file # PROGRAM_ID 2021A084 PROGRAM_TITLE An IRTF/SpeX Variability Study of the Edge-On Protostar OPH[GY92]-30: Probing Processes in the Inner Disk PROGRAM_INV1 Nolan Habel PROGRAM_INV2 Tom Megeath PROGRAM_INV3 Nicole Karnath PROGRAM_INV4 John Tobin PROGRAM_INV5 PROGRAM_SCICAT stellar PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_BEG We propose multi-epoch spectral monitoring of OPH[GY92]-30, a protostars in the Ophiuchus molecular cloud [130 pc] that exhibits both periodic variability in Spitzer 3-5 micron monitoring from the YSOVAR program and an edge-on morphology show in HST 1.6 micron imaging. To identify the mechanism for this variability, we propose SpeX SXD spectroscopy of the protostar. We will observe 8 nights on every other night over its period of 14.5 days. Variations in the Br-gamma line, absorption features such as the CO overtones, and/or the overall shape of the 1-2.5 micron spectrum will provide unique information needed to identify the mechanisms responsible for the observed Spitzer variability, thereby distinguishing variability due to changes in the mass accretion rate, rotating hotspots, or orbiting structures in the inner 1AU. These data will probe a region critical to models of planet formation that cannot be studied through spatially resolved observations. PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_END