1,492 research outputs found
The Coronal Temperatures of Low-Mass Main-Sequence Stars
Aims. We study the X-ray emission of low-mass main-sequence stars to derive a
reliable general scaling law between coronal temperature and the level of X-ray
activity.
Methods. We collect ROSAT measurements of hardness ratios and X-ray
luminosities for a large sample of stars to derive which stellar X-ray emission
parameter is most closely correlated with coronal temperature. We calculate
average coronal temperatures for a sample of 24 low-mass main-sequence stars
with measured emission measure distributions (EMDs) collected from the
literature. These EMDs are based on high-resolution X-ray spectra measured by
XMM-Newton and Chandra.
Results. We confirm that there is one universal scaling relation between
coronal average temperature and surface X-ray flux, Fx, that applies to all
low-mass main-sequence stars. We find that coronal temperature is related to Fx
by Tcor=0.11 Fx^0.26, where Tcor is in MK and Fx is in erg/s/cm^2.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 1 table; accepted for publication in A&
Castor A and Castor B resolved in a simultaneous Chandra and XMM-Newton observation
We present a simultaneous Chandra and XMM-Newton observation of the Castor
sextett, focusing on Castor A and Castor B, two spectroscopic binaries with
early-type primaries. Of the present day X-ray instruments only Chandra can
isolate the X-ray lightcurves and spectra of A and B. We compare the Chandra
observation with XMM-Newton data obtained simultaneously. Albeit not able to
resolve Castor A and Castor B from each other, the higher sensitivity of
XMM-Newton allows for a quantitative analysis of their combined high-resolution
spectrum. He-like line triplets are used to examine the temperature and the
density in the corona of Castor AB. The temporal variability of Castor AB is
studied using data collected with the European Photon Imaging Camera onboard
XMM-Newton. Strong flare activity is observed, and combining the data acquired
simultaneously with Chandra and XMM-Newton each flare can be assigned to its
host. Our comparison with the conditions of the coronal plasma of other stars
shows that Castor AB behave like typical late-type coronal X-ray emitters
supporting the common notion that the late-type secondaries within each
spectroscopic binary are the sites of the X-ray production.Comment: accepted for publication in A&
Non-thermal processes in coronae and beyond
This contribution summarizes the splinter session "Non-thermal processes in
coronae and beyond" held at the Cool Stars 17 workshop in Barcelona in 2012. It
covers new developments in high energy non-thermal effects in the Earth's
exosphere, solar and stellar flares, the diffuse emission in star forming
regions and reviews the state and the challenges of the underlying atomic
databases.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the Cool Stars 17 worksho
Quantum dynamics of the Neel vector in the antiferromagnetic molecular wheel CsFe8
The inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectrum is studied for the
antiferromagnetic molecular wheel CsFe8, in the temperature range 2 - 60 K, and
for transfer energies up 3.6 meV. A qualitative analysis shows that the
observed peaks correspond to the transitions between the L-band states, from
the ground state up to the S = 5 multiplet. For a quantitative analysis, the
wheel is described by a microscopic spin Hamiltonian (SH), which includes the
nearest-neighbor Heisenberg exchange interactions and uniaxial easy-axis
single-ion anisotropy, characterized by the constants J and D, respectively.
For a best-fit determination of J and D, the L band is modeled by an effective
SH, and the effective SH concept extended such as to facilitate an accurate
calculation of INS scattering intensities, overcoming difficulties with the
dimension of the Hilbert space. The low-energy magnetism in CsFe8 is
excellently described by the generic SH used. The two lowest states are
characterized by a tunneling of the Neel vector, as found previously, while the
higher-lying states are well described as rotational modes of the Neel vector.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, REVTEX4, to appear in PR
Abundance variations and first ionization potential trends during large stellar flares
The Solar First Ionization Potential (FIP) effect, where low-FIP elements are
enriched in the corona relative to the photosphere, while high-FIP abundances
remain unchanged, has been known for a long while. High resolution X-ray
spectroscopy has revealed that active stellar coronae show an opposite effect,
which was labeled the Inverse-FIP (IFIP) effect. The correlation found between
coronal activity and the FIP/IFIP bias suggested perhaps that flaring activity
is involved in switching from FIP to IFIP. This work aims at a more systematic
understanding of the FIP trends during stellar flares and complements an
earlier study based on Chandra alone. The eight brightest X-ray flares observed
with XMM-Newton are analyzed and compared with their respective quiescence
states. Together with six previous flares observed with Chandra, this
establishes the best currently available sample of flares. We look for
abundance variations during the flare and their correlation with FIP. For that
purpose, we define a new FIP bias measure. A trend is found where coronae that
are IFIP biased in quiescence, during flares show a FIP bias with respect to
their quiescence composition. This effect is reversed for coronae that are FIP
biased in quiescence. The observed trend is thus consistent with chromospheric
evaporation rather than with a FIP mechanism operating during flares. It also
suggests that the quiescent IFIP bias is real and that the large flares are not
the direct cause of the IFIP effect in stellar coronae.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, submitted to A&
What Makes a Planet Habitable?
Antes de que la vida pueda surgir y desarrollarse en una superficie planetaria, son necesarias muchas condiciones de naturaleza astrofísica. La radiación y las partículas provenientes de la estrella central, el campo magnético del planeta, la acumulación o disipación de la atmósfera en un planeta joven, y varios otros factores deben actuar conjuntamente y de manera equilibrada para dar a la vida la oportunidad de florecer. En este artículo describimos estos prerrequisitos cruciales para la habitabilidad y exponemos el estado actual de nuestro conocimiento
Quiescent and flaring X-ray emission from the nearby M/T dwarf binary SCR 1845-6357
We investigate an XMM-Newton observation of SCR 1845-6357, a nearby,
ultracool M8.5/T5.5 dwarf binary. The binary is unresolved in the XMM
detectors, however the X-ray emission is very likely from the M8.5 dwarf. We
compare its flaring emission to those of similar very low mass stars and
additionally present an XMM observation of the M8 dwarf VB 10. We detect
quasi-quiescent X-ray emission from SCR 1845-6357 at soft X-ray energies in the
0.2-2.0 keV band, as well as a strong flare with a count rate increase of a
factor of 30 and a duration of only 10 minutes. The quasi-quiescent X-ray
luminosity of log L_x = 26.2 erg/s and the corresponding activity level of log
L_x/L_bol = -3.8 point to a fairly active star. Coronal temperatures of up to 5
MK and frequent minor variability support this picture. During the flare, that
is accompanied by a significant brightening in the near-UV, plasma temperatures
of 25-30 MK are observed and an X-ray luminosity of L_x= 8 x 10^27 erg/s is
reached. SCR 1845-6357 is a nearby, very low mass star that emits X-rays at
detectable levels in quasi-quiescence, implying the existence of a corona. The
high activity level, coronal temperatures and the observed large flare point to
a rather active star, despite its estimated age of a few Gyr.Comment: Accepted by A&A, 6 pages, 5 figure
The Faint Young Sun Paradox: An Observational Test of an Alternative Solar Model
We report the results of deep observations at radio (3.6 cm) wavelengths of the nearby solar‐type star π^01 Ursa Majoris with the Very Large Array (VLA) intended to test an alternative theory of solar luminosity evolution. The standard model predicts a solar luminosity only 75% of the present value and surface temperatures below freezing on Earth and Mars at 4 Ga, seemingly in conflict with geologic evidence for liquid water on these planets. An alternative model invokes a compensatory mass loss through a declining solar wind that results in a more consistent early luminosity. The free‐free emission from an enhanced wind around nearby young Sun‐like stars should be detectable at microwave frequencies. Our observations of π^01 UMa, a 300 million year‐old solar‐mass star, place an upper limit on the mass loss rate of 4–5 × 10^(−11) M_⊙ yr^(−1). Total mass loss from such a star over 4 Gyr would be less than 6%. If this star is indeed an analog of the early Sun, it casts doubt on the alternative model as a solution to the faint young Sun paradox, particularly for Mars
High-energy radiation and particles in the environments of young stellar objects
High-energy radiation and particles profoundly affect circumstellar disk gas and solids. We discuss stellar high-energy sources and summarize their effects on circumstellar disk
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