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X-ray flares on the UV Ceti-type star CC Eridani: a ``peculiar'' time-evolution of spectral parameters
Context: Weak flares are supposed to be an important heating agent ofthe outer layers of stellar atmospheres. However, due to instrumentallimitations, only large X-ray flares have been studied in detail untilnow. Aims: We used an XMM-Newton observation of the very active BY-Dratype binary star CC Eri in order to investigate the properties of twoflares that are weaker than those typically studied in the literature. Methods: We performed time-resolved spectroscopy of the data taken withthe EPIC-PN CCD camera. A multi-temperature model was used to fit thespectra. We inferred the size of the flaring loops using thedensity-temperature diagram. The loop scaling laws were applied forderiving physical parameters of the flaring plasma. We also estimatedthe number of loops involved in the observed flares. Results: A largeX-ray variability was found. Spectral analysis showed that all theregions in the light curve, including the flare segments, arewell-described by a 3-T model with variable emission measures but,surprisingly, with constant temperatures (values of 3, 10 and 22 MK).The analysed flares lasted ~3.4 and 7.1 ks, with flux increases offactors 1.5-1.9. They occurred in arcades made of a few tens of similarcoronal loops. The size of the flaring loops is much smaller than thedistance between the stellar surfaces in the binary system, and evensmaller than the radius of each of the stars. The obtained results areconsistent with the following ideas: (i) the whole X-ray light curve ofCC Eri could be the result of a superposition of multiple low-energyflares; and (ii) stellar flares can be scaled-up versions of solarflares.Basedon observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science missionwith instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA MemberStates and NASA.
| Six large coronal X-ray flares observed with Chandra
Aims.A study of the six largest coronal X-ray flares in the Chandraarchive is presented. The flares were observed on II Peg, OU And, Algol,HR 1099, TZ CrB and CC Eri, all with the High Energy TransmissionGrating spectrometer (HETG) and the ACIS detectors. Methods: Wereconstruct an Emission Measure Distribution EMD(T), using a spectralline analysis method, for flare and quiescence states separately andcompare the two. Subsequently, elemental abundances are obtained fromthe EMD. Results: We find similar behaviour of the EMD in all flares,namely a large high-T component appears while the low-T (kT < 2 keV)plasma is mostly unaffected, except for a small rise in the low-TEmission Measure. In five of the six flares we detect a First IonizationPotential (FIP) effect in the flare abundances relative to quiescence.This may contradict previous suggestions that flares are the cause of aninverse FIP effect in highly active coronae.Appendices A and B are only available in electronic form athttp://www.aanda.org
| Spitzer IRS Spectroscopy of IRAS-discovered Debris Disks
We have obtained Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Spectrograph (IRS)5.5-35 μm spectra of 59 main-sequence stars that possess IRAS 60μm excess. The spectra of five objects possess spectral features thatare well-modeled using micron-sized grains and silicates withcrystalline mass fractions 0%-80%, consistent with T Tauri and HerbigAeBe stars. With the exception of η Crv, these objects are youngwith ages <=50 Myr. Our fits require the presence of a cool blackbodycontinuum, Tgr=80-200 K, in addition to hot, amorphous, andcrystalline silicates, Tgr=290-600 K, suggesting thatmultiple parent body belts are present in some debris disks, analogousto the asteroid and Kuiper belts in our solar system. The spectra forthe majority of objects are featureless, suggesting that the emittinggrains probably have radii a>10 μm. We have modeled the excesscontinua using a continuous disk with a uniform surface densitydistribution, expected if Poynting-Robertson and stellar wind drag arethe dominant grain removal processes, and using a single-temperatureblackbody, expected if the dust is located in a narrow ring around thestar. The IRS spectra of many objects are better modeled with asingle-temperature blackbody, suggesting that the disks possess innerholes. The distribution of grain temperatures, based on our blackbodyfits, peaks at Tgr=110-120 K. Since the timescale for icesublimation of micron-sized grains with Tgr>110 K is afraction of a Myr, the lack of warmer material may be explained if thegrains are icy. If planets dynamically clear the central portions ofdebris disks, then the frequency of planets around other stars isprobably high. We estimate that the majority of debris disk systemspossess parent body masses, MPB<1 M⊕. Thelow inferred parent body masses suggest that planet formation is anefficient process.Based on observations with the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, which isoperated by the California Institute of Technology for NASA.
| Contributions to the Nearby Stars (NStars) Project: Spectroscopy of Stars Earlier than M0 within 40 pc-The Southern Sample
We are obtaining spectra, spectral types, and basic physical parametersfor the nearly 3600 dwarf and giant stars earlier than M0 in theHipparcos catalog within 40 pc of the Sun. Here we report on resultsfor 1676 stars in the southern hemisphere observed at Cerro TololoInter-American Observatory and Steward Observatory. These resultsinclude new, precise, homogeneous spectral types, basic physicalparameters (including the effective temperature, surface gravity, andmetallicity [M/H]), and measures of the chromospheric activity of ourprogram stars. We include notes on astrophysically interesting stars inthis sample, the metallicity distribution of the solar neighborhood, anda table of solar analogs. We also demonstrate that the bimodal nature ofthe distribution of the chromospheric activity parameterlogR'HK depends strongly on the metallicity, andwe explore the nature of the ``low-metallicity'' chromosphericallyactive K-type dwarfs.
| The RS CVn binary HK Lacertae: long-term photometry from Sonneberg sky-patrol plates
Long-term photographic photometry of the active long-period RS CVnbinary HK Lac (HD 209813) was obtained from more than 2000 SonnebergSky-Patrol plates taken between 1956 and 1996. We achieve an internalaccuracy of 0.07 m. The correspondence with contemporaneoushigh-precision photoelectric photometry from automatic telescopes isstriking and successfully demonstrates the feasibility of our approach.Based on a Bayesian time series analysis, we improve the previouslypublished cycle period to 13.37± 0.08 years, and present evidenceof an additional period of 9.48± 0.13 years. This establishes themulti-periodicity of dynamo action in these overactive stars as comparedto the Sun. The already known 6.7-years cycle turns out to be anovertone of the dominating 13.4-years cycle. Our long-term photographicphotometry even allowed the detection of the star's mean rotationalperiod of 24.35 days.
| Optical polarimetry of infrared excess stars
We present UBRVI polarimetry measurements for a group of 38 IRASinfrared excess stars and complement these observations with V-band datataken from the literature for 87 additional objects. After correctingthe observed values by the interstellar contribution, we find that 48%of the analyzed sample has polarization excess. In addition, thepolarization of these stars may correlate with infrared color excesses,particularly at 60 and 100 μm. We caution, however, that poor IRASdata quality at longer wavelengths affects this correlation. We analyzethe wavelength dependence of the linear polarization of 15 polarizedobjects in relation to Serkowski's empirical interstellar law. We findthat for 6 to 7 objects (depending on the interstellar model) themeasured polarization differs significantly from the empiricalinterstellar law, suggesting an intrinsic origin. We analyze thepolarimetry distribution of IRAS infrared excess objects in relation tothe Exoplanet host stars (i.e., stars associated with at least onelikely planetary mass object). The corresponding polarimetrydistributions are different within a high confidence level. Finally, wecompare the metallicity distributions of F and G IRAS infrared excess,Exoplanet host and field main sequence stars, and find that F-G IRASinfrared excess objects have metallicities quite similar (although notidentical) to field main sequence stars and significantly different fromthe Exoplanet host group.
| A Comparative Study of Flaring Loops in Active Stars
Dynamo activity in stars of different types is expected to generatemagnetic fields with different characteristics. As a result, adifferential study of the characteristics of magnetic loops in a broadsample of stars may yield information about dynamo systematics. In theabsence of direct imaging, certain physical parameters of a stellarmagnetic loop can be extracted if a flare occurs in that loop. In thispaper we employ a simple nonhydrodynamic approach introduced by Haisch,to analyze a homogeneous sample of all of the flares we could identifyin the EUVE DS database: a total of 134 flares that occurred on 44 starsranging in spectral type from F to M and in luminosity class from V toIII. All of the flare light curves that have been used in the presentstudy were obtained by a single instrument (EUVE DS). For each flare, wehave applied Haisch's simplified approach (HSA) in order to determineloop length, temperature, electron density, and magnetic field. For eachof our target stars, a literature survey has been performed to determinequantitatively the extent to which our results are consistent withindependent studies. The results obtained by HSA are found to be wellsupported by results obtained by other methods. Our survey suggeststhat, on the main sequence, short loops (with lengths<=0.5R*) may be found in stars of all classes, while thelargest loops (with lengths up to 2R*) appear to be confinedto M dwarfs. Based on EUVE data, the transition from small to largeloops on the main sequence appears to occur between spectral types K2and M0. We discuss the implications of this result for dynamo theories.
| On the Temperature-Emission Measure Distribution in Stellar Coronae
Strong peaks in the emission measure-temperature (EM-T ) distributionsin the coronae of some binary stars are associated with the presence ofhot (107 K), dense (up to 1013 cm -3)plasma. These peaks are very reminiscent of those predicted to arise inan impulsively heated solar corona. A coronal model comprised of manyimpulsively heated strands is adapted to stellar parameters. It is shownthat the properties of the EM-T distribution can be accounted for ingeneral terms provided the emission comes from many very small loops(length under 103 km) with intense magnetic fields (1 kG)distributed across part of the surface of the star. The heating requiresevents that generally dissipate between 1026 and 1028 ergs, which is in the range of solar microflares. This impliesthat such stars must be capable of generating regions of localizedintense magnetic fields.
| Tertiary companions to close spectroscopic binaries
We have surveyed a sample of 165 solar-type spectroscopic binaries (SB)with periods from 1 to 30 days for higher-order multiplicity. Asubsample of 62 targets were observed with the NACO adaptive opticssystem and 13 new physical tertiary companions were detected. Anadditional 12 new wide companions (5 still tentative) were found usingthe 2MASS all-sky survey. The binaries belong to 161 stellar systems; ofthese 64 are triple, 11 quadruple and 7 quintuple. After correction forincompleteness, the fraction of SBs with additional companions is foundto be 63% ± 5%. We find that this fraction is a strong functionof the SB period P, reaching 96% for P<3d and dropping to34% for P>12^d. Period distributions of SBs with and withouttertiaries are significantly different, but their mass ratiodistributions are identical. The statistical data on the multiplicity ofclose SBs presented in this paper indicates that the periods and massratios of SBs were established very early, but the periods of SB systemswith triples were further shortened by angular momentum exchange withcompanions.
| Starspot activity in late stars: Methods and results
Three types of methods for studying the surface inhomogeneities of coolstars and the results of their use on type BY Dra, RS CVn, FK Com, and TTau variables are discussed. The current relevance of traditionalphotometric methods and the advantages of the zonal spottedness modelare pointed out. Dependences of the maximum total areas, averagelatitudes, and temperatures of spots on the global parameters of thestars are given. Analogs of the solar cycle in the variations of theareas and latitudes of starspots are examined, as well as the effects ofdifferential rotation and active longitudes.
| Mass loss and orbital period decrease in detached chromospherically active binaries
The secular evolution of the orbital angular momentum (OAM), thesystemic mass (M=M1+M2) and the orbital period of114 chromospherically active binaries (CABs) were investigated afterdetermining the kinematical ages of the subsamples which were setaccording to OAM bins. OAMs, systemic masses and orbital periods wereshown to be decreasing by the kinematical ages. The first-orderdecreasing rates of OAM, systemic mass and orbital period have beendetermined as per systemic OAM, per systemic mass and per orbitalperiod, respectively, from the kinematical ages. The ratio of d logJ/dlogM= 2.68, which were derived from the kinematics of the presentsample, implies that there must be a mechanism which amplifies theangular momentum loss (AML) times in comparison to isotropic AML ofhypothetical isotropic wind from the components. It has been shown thatsimple isotropic mass loss from the surface of a component or bothcomponents would increase the orbital period.
| Stellar activity cycles: observing the dynamo?
The enormous complexity of the atmospheric structure observed on the Sunmakes it very difficult to compare the Sun with ``solar-type stars''.Clearly, we need to identify parameters that can be observed on the Sunas well as on other stars which can be interpreted unambiguously. Themost widely accepted dynamo signature is the presence of an activitycycle, well documented for the Sun and for main-sequence stars due tothe Mount Wilson Ca II H&K project. Only recently have we detectedspatial information, differential rotation and possibly meridional flowson other stars and thereby adding another constraint for itsinterpretation within a dynamo theory. Again, the picture is notcomplete yet, despite that there is just a single main ingredient thatacts as the driving mechanism for activity in all atmospheric layers andthe convective envelope of a solar-type star: the dynamo-relatedmagnetic field. I stress the importance of mapping stellar surfaces asfingerprints of the underlying dynamo action over long periods of time.
| Spots, activity cycles, and differential rotation on cool stars
The first results are reported from a search for activity cycles instars similar to the sun based on modelling their spotting with analgorithm developed at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. Of themore than thirty program stars, 10 manifested a cyclical variation intheir central latitudes and total starspot area. The observed cycleshave durations of 4-15 years, i.e., analogous to the 11 year Schwabesunspot cycle. Most of the stars have a rough analog of the solarbutterfly pattern, with a reduction in the average latitude of the spotsas their area increases. A flip-flop effect during the epoch of themaximum average latitude is noted in a number of these objects (e.g.,the analog LQ Hya of the young sun or the RS CVn-type variable V711Tau), as well as a reduction in the photometric rotation period of astar as the spots drift toward the equator, an analog of thedifferential rotation effect in the sun. Unlike in the sun, the observedspot formation cycles do not correlate uniquely with other indicators ofactivity chromospheric emission in the CaII HK lines (Be Cet, EKDra, Dx Leo), H line emission (LQ Hya, VY Ari, EV Lac), or cyclicalflare activity (EV Lac). In V833 Tau, BY Dra, EK Dra, and VY Ari shortSchwabe cycles coexist with long cycles that are analogous to theGleissberg solar cycle, in which the spotted area can approach half theentire area of the star.
| Mg II chromospheric radiative loss rates in cool active and quiet stars
The Mg II k emission line is a good indicator of the level ofchromospheric activity in late-type stars. We investigate the dependenceof this activity indicator on fundamental stellar parameters. To thispurpose we use IUE observations of the Mg II k line in 225 late-typestars of luminosity classes I-V, with different levels of chromosphericactivity. We first re-analyse the relation between Mg II k lineluminosity and stellar absolute magnitude, performing linear fits to thepoints. The ratio of Mg II surface flux to total surface flux is foundto be independent of stellar luminosity for evolved stars and toincrease with decreasing luminosity for dwarfs. We also analyse the MgII k line surface flux-metallicity connection. The Mg II k emissionlevel turns out to be not dependent on metallicity. Finally, the Mg II kline surface flux-temperature relation is investigated by treatingseparately, for the first time, a large sample of very active and normalstars. The stellar surface fluxes in the k line of normal stars arefound to be strongly dependent on the temperature and slightly dependenton the gravity, thus confirming the validity of recently proposedmodels. In contrast, data relative to RS CVn binaries and BY Dra stars,which show very strong chromospheric activity, are not justified in theframework of a description based only on acoustic waves and uniformlydistributed magnetic flux tubes so that they require more detailedmodels.
| Mid-Infrared Spectra of Dust Debris around Main-Sequence Stars
We report spectra obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope in theλ=14-35μm range of 19 nearby main-sequence stars with infraredexcesses. The six stars with strong dust emission show no recognizablespectral features, suggesting that the bulk of the emitting particleshave diameters larger than 10 μm. If the observed dust results fromcollisional grinding of larger solids, we infer minimum masses of theparent body population between 0.004 and 0.06 M⊕. Weestimate grain production rates of ~1010 g s-1around λ Boo and HR 1570; selective accretion of this matter mayhelp explain their peculiar surface abundances. There appear to be innertruncations in the dust clouds at 48, 11, 52, and 54 AU around HR 333,HR 506, HR 1082, and HR 3927, respectively.Based on observations with the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, which isoperated by the California Institute of Technology for NASA.
| X-ray astronomy of stellar coronae
X-ray emission from stars in the cool half of the Hertzsprung-Russelldiagram is generally attributed to the presence of a magnetic coronathat contains plasma at temperatures exceeding 1 million K. Coronae areubiquitous among these stars, yet many fundamental mechanisms operatingin their magnetic fields still elude an interpretation through adetailed physical description. Stellar X-ray astronomy is thereforecontributing toward a deeper understanding of the generation of magneticfields in magnetohydrodynamic dynamos, the release of energy in tenuousastrophysical plasmas through various plasma-physical processes, and theinteractions of high-energy radiation with the stellar environment.Stellar X-ray emission also provides important diagnostics to study thestructure and evolution of stellar magnetic fields from the first daysof a protostellar life to the latest stages of stellar evolution amonggiants and supergiants. The discipline of stellar coronal X-rayastronomy has now reached a level of sophistication that makes tests ofadvanced theories in stellar physics possible. This development is basedon the rapidly advancing instrumental possibilities that today allow usto obtain images with sub-arcsecond resolution and spectra withresolving powers exceeding 1000. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy has,in fact, opened new windows into astrophysical sources, and has played afundamental role in coronal research.
| Kinematics of chromospherically active binaries and evidence of an orbital period decrease in binary evolution
The kinematics of 237 chromospherically active binaries (CABs) werestudied. The sample is heterogeneous with different orbits andphysically different components from F to M spectral-type main-sequencestars to G and K giants and supergiants. The computed U, V, W spacevelocities indicate that the sample is also heterogeneous in velocityspace. That is, both kinematically younger and older systems exist amongthe non-evolved main sequence and the evolved binaries containing giantsand subgiants. The kinematically young (0.95 Gyr) subsample (N= 95),which is formed according to the kinematical criteria of moving groups,was compared with the rest (N= 142) of the sample (3.86 Gyr) toinvestigate any observational clues of binary evolution. Comparing theorbital period histograms between the younger and older subsamples,evidence was found supporting the finding of Demircan that the CABs losemass (and angular momentum) and evolve towards shorter orbital periods.The evidence of mass loss is noticeable on the histograms of the totalmass (Mh+Mc), which is compared between theyounger (only N= 53 systems available) and older subsamples (only N= 66systems available). The orbital period decrease during binary evolutionis found to be clearly indicated by the kinematical ages of 6.69, 5.19and 3.02 Gyr which were found in the subsamples according to the periodranges of logP<= 0.8, 0.8 < logP<= 1.7 and 1.7 < logP<=3, respectively, among the binaries in the older subsample.
| A Multiwavelength Study of CC Eridani
Radio and optical observations from December 2001 and January 2002 ofthe active RS CVn-like binary CC Eri are presented. The star wasmonitored at 4.80 and 8.64GHz over 3×12h allocations with theAustralia Telescope Compact Array on 28 to 30 December 2001. TheAnglo-Australian Telescope was used for simultaneous opticalspectropolarimetry during a 0.5h period on 30 December. Data from fournights of broadband photometry gathered around the same period are alsoincluded in this present multiwavelength study. The low levels of radioemission were circularly polarised at ~20% with slightly positivespectral indices of ~0.26. Two flare-like increases were observed onsuccessive nights with steep positive spectral indices and no detectablepolarisation. Cross-correlation analysis of the 4.80 and 8.64GHzintensities over the stronger flare showed that the higher frequencyemission preceded that at the lower frequency by ~5min, a resultconsistent with the propagation of a hydromagnetic disturbance outwardsthrough the corona. On the same night, a significant cross-correlationin the `quiescent' emission indicates the presence of micro-flaring,although its low intensity does not permit the evaluation of a timedelay. The emission parameters on the three nights are compatible with agyrosyncrotron mechanism, in which the radio source becomes opticallythick during strong flaring. We develop a simple model, which is basedon assuming that the number of radiating electrons is a given functionof the magnetic field in the source region, and derive feasible valuesfor the field, source radius, and number of emitting electrons, whichare not strongly dependent on the field modelling function or the aspectratio of the source. Spectropolarimetry demonstrates the presence of astrong surface magnetic field. Optical photometry, covering a sufficientamount of the orbit, indicates a maculation region of significant size(~14° radius). The results help develop a three-dimensional pictureof a large stellar magnetically active region and encourage moredetailed follow-up multiwavelength studies of this and similar stars.
| A systematic study of X-ray variability in the ROSAT all-sky survey
We present a systematic search for variability among the ROSAT All-SkySurvey (RASS) X-ray sources. We generated lightcurves for about 30 000X-ray point sources detected sufficiently high above background. For ourvariability study different search algorithms were developed in order torecognize flares, periods and trends, respectively. The variable X-raysources were optically identified with counterparts in the SIMBAD, theUSNO-A2.0 and NED data bases, but a significant part of the X-raysources remains without cataloged optical counterparts. Out of the 1207sources classified as variable 767 (63.5%) were identified with stars,118 (9.8%) are of extragalactic origin, 10 (0.8%) are identified withother sources and 312 (25.8%) could not uniquely be identified withentries in optical catalogs. We give a statistical analysis of thevariable X-ray population and present some outstanding examples of X-rayvariability detected in the ROSAT all-sky survey. Most prominent amongthese sources are white dwarfs, apparently single, yet neverthelessshowing periodic variability. Many flares from hitherto unrecognisedflare stars have been detected as well as long term variability in theBL Lac 1E1757.7+7034.The complete version of Table 7 is only available in electronic form atthe CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/403/247
| The Structure of Stellar Coronae in Active Binary Systems
A survey of 28 stars (22 active binary systems, plus six single stars orwide binaries for comparison) using extreme ultraviolet spectra has beenconducted to establish the structure of stellar coronae in active binarysystems from the emission measure distribution (EMD), electrondensities, and scale sizes. Observations obtained by the ExtremeUltraviolet Explorer satellite (EUVE) during 9 years of operation areincluded for the stars in the sample. EUVE data allow a continuous EMDto be constructed in the range logTe(K)~5.6-7.4, using ironemission lines. These data are complemented with IUE observations tomodel the lower temperature range [logTe(K)~4.0-5.6].Inspection of the EMD shows an outstanding narrow enhancement, or``bump'' peaking around logTe(K)~6.9 in 25 of the stars,defining a fundamental coronal structure. The emission measure per unitstellar area decreases with increasing orbital (or photometric) periodsof the target stars; stars in binaries generally have more material atcoronal temperatures than slowly rotating single stars. High electrondensities (Ne>~1012 cm-3) arederived at ~logTe(K)~7.0 for some targets, implying smallemitting volumes.The observations suggest the magnetic stellar coronae of these stars areconsistent with two basic classes of magnetic loops: solar-like loopswith maximum temperature around logTe(K)~6.3 and lowerelectron densities (Ne>~109-1010.5cm-3), and hotter loops peaking aroundlogTe(K)~6.9 with higher electron densities(Ne>~1012 cm-3). For the most activestars, material exists at much higher temperatures[logTe(K)>=6.9] as well. However, current ab initiostellar loop models cannot reproduce such a configuration. Analysis ofthe light curves of these systems reveals signatures of rotation ofcoronal material, as well as apparent seasonal (i.e., year-to-year)changes in the activity levels.
| Long-term monitoring of active stars. X. Photometry collected in 1994
As part of an extensive program focused on the global properties andevolution of active stars, high-precision UBV(RI)_c and UBV photometryof 18 selected stars is presented. UBV(RI)_c observations were collectedat the European Southern Observatory over the intervals 21-28 September1994 and 25 November-05 December 1994. Additional UBV photometryobtained late in 1994 by Catania Astrophysical Observatory AutomaticPhotoelectric Telescope is also presented. Significant evolution of thelight curves, period variations and evidence for long-term variabilityof the global degree of spottedness are found. Some spectralclassifications are revised and photometric parallaxes are compared,whenever possible, with the values measured by the Hipparcos satellite.These observations are finalized to the construction of an extendedphotometric database, which can give important clues on topics such asthe stability of spotted areas, differential stellar rotation,solar-like activity cycles and the correlation between inhomogeneitiesat different atmospheric levels.Based on data collected at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla,Chile.Tables 1, 2 and 4 and the complete data set are only available inelectronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr(130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/400/659 (Table 3 is alsoavailable at the CDS).
| Improved Astrometry and Photometry for the Luyten Catalog. II. Faint Stars and the Revised Catalog
We complete construction of a catalog containing improved astrometry andnew optical/infrared photometry for the vast majority of NLTT starslying in the overlap of regions covered by POSS I and by the secondincremental Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) release, approximately 44%of the sky. The epoch 2000 positions are typically accurate to 130 mas,the proper motions to 5.5 mas yr-1, and the V-J colors to0.25 mag. Relative proper motions of binary components are measured to 3mas yr-1. The false-identification rate is ~1% for11<~V<~18 and substantially less at brighter magnitudes. Theseimprovements permit the construction of a reduced proper-motion diagramthat, for the first time, allows one to classify NLTT stars intomain-sequence (MS) stars, subdwarfs (SDs), and white dwarfs (WDs). We inturn use this diagram to analyze the properties of both our catalog andthe NLTT catalog on which it is based. In sharp contrast to popularbelief, we find that NLTT incompleteness in the plane is almostcompletely concentrated in MS stars, and that SDs and WDs are detectedalmost uniformly over the sky δ>-33deg. Our catalogwill therefore provide a powerful tool to probe these populationsstatistically, as well as to reliably identify individual SDs and WDs.
| Starspot cycles from long-term photometry
We continue investigating the photometric cycle lengths of some activestars. Using datasets now up to 34 years long we confirm previouslyderived activity cycles for the shorter period systems of our sample (LQHya, V833 Tau, EI Eri, V711 Tau, HU Vir and IL Hya), but find differentcycle lengths for the two long-period giants HK Lac and IM Peg. We addUZ Lib to our previous sample. The connection between the rotationalperiod and cycle length seems evident for the shortest derived cyclelengths. A similar connection between the rotational period and thelonger cycle lengths is not as clear, taking into account recent resultson the time variability of the longer term solar cycles. While the timebase of the observations puts an upper limit to the detectable lengthsof the longer cycles, a general dependence of the cycle period on therotation rate is maintained. The length of the shortest cycle that wefound for LQ Hya agrees with the cycle period derived from dynamomodelling of this star.
| Meeting the Cool Neighbors. I. Nearby Stars in the NLTT Catalogue: Defining the Sample
We are currently undertaking a program aimed at identifying previouslyunrecognized late-type dwarfs within 20 pc of the Sun. As a first step,we have cross-referenced Luyten's NLTT proper-motion catalog against thesecond incremental release of the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS)Point Source Catalog and use optical/infrared colors, derived bycombining Luyten's mr estimates with 2MASS data, to identifycandidate nearby stars. This paper describes the definition of areference sample of 1245 stars and presents a compilation of literaturedata for more than one-third of the sample. Only 274 stars havetrigonometric parallax measurements, but we have used data for nearbystars with well-determined trigonometric parallaxes to computecolor-magnitude relations in the (MV, V-K), (MV,V-I), and (MI, I-J) planes and use those relations todetermine photometric parallaxes for NLTT stars with optical photometry.Based on the 2MASS JHKs data alone, we have identified afurther 42 ultracool dwarfs (J-Ks>0.99) and useJ-Ks colors to estimate photometric parallaxes. Combiningthese various techniques, we identify 308 stars with formal distances ofless than 20 pc, while a further 46 have distance estimates within 1σ of our survey limit. Of these 354 stars, 75, including 39 of theultracool dwarfs, are new to nearby-star catalogs. Two stars with bothoptical and near-infrared photometry are potential additions to theimmediate solar neighborhood, with formal distance estimates of lessthan 10 pc.
| Multiwavelength Observations of Three Short-Period Active Binary Systems: ER Vulpeculae, CC Eridani, and EI Eridani
We present the results of multiwavelength observing campaigns of threeshort-period active binary systems: ER Vulpeculae, CC Eridani, and EIEridani, all with orbital periods less than 2 days. ER Vulpeculae(Porb~0.7 day) was observed simultaneously in the X-ray andradio with ASCA and MERLIN, CC Eridani (Porb~1.56 days) withEUVE, the VLA, and the ATCA, and EI Eridani (Porb~1.95 days)with EUVE and ASCA. The ASCA observations of ER Vul and EI Eri reveal apattern of low coronal metallicities during quiescence, which increaseduring flares. There is evidence in ASCA spectra of EI Eri for extremelyhot, (T>100 MK) plasma arising during stellar flares. Multifrequencyradio emission from CC Eri shows flux decreasing with increasingfrequency, and polarization increasing with frequency. During theobservations of CC Eri at 20 cm, two highly circularly polarized flaresoccurred. One, being left circularly polarized at -70%, is consistentwith plasma radiation at the fundamental frequency as on other activebinary systems. The second flare is largely right circularly polarized(up to 100%). The results from EUVE observations suggest high coronalelectron densities ne>1012 cm-3,which is in conflict with the implied electron density of theradio-emitting plasma if the two types of emission have a commonelectron population. Despite our long EUV and X-ray observations ofthese systems lasting several orbital periods, flaring at thesewavelengths was observed only on EI Eri, the longest period system here.We find a very peaked distribution of count rates about the average forall the nonflaring high-energy observations.
| Stellar encounters with the solar system
We continue our search, based on Hipparcos data, for stars which haveencountered or will encounter the solar system(García-Sánchez et al. \cite{Garcia}). Hipparcos parallaxand proper motion data are combined with ground-based radial velocitymeasurements to obtain the trajectories of stars relative to the solarsystem. We have integrated all trajectories using three different modelsof the galactic potential: a local potential model, a global potentialmodel, and a perturbative potential model. The agreement between themodels is generally very good. The time period over which our search forclose passages is valid is about +/-10 Myr. Based on the Hipparcos data,we find a frequency of stellar encounters within one parsec of the Sunof 2.3 +/- 0.2 per Myr. However, we also find that the Hipparcos data isobservationally incomplete. By comparing the Hipparcos observations withthe stellar luminosity function for star systems within 50 pc of theSun, we estimate that only about one-fifth of the stars or star systemswere detected by Hipparcos. Correcting for this incompleteness, weobtain a value of 11.7 +/- 1.3 stellar encounters per Myr within one pcof the Sun. We examine the ability of two future missions, FAME andGAIA, to extend the search for past and future stellar encounters withthe Sun.
| On the Wilson-Bappu relationship in the Mg II k line
An investigation is carried out on the Wilson-Bappu effect in the Mg Iik line at 2796.34 Å. The work is based on a selection of 230 starsobserved by both the IUE and HIPPARCOS satellites, covering a wide rangeof spectral types (F to M) and absolute visual magnitudes (-5.4<=MV <=9.0). A semi-automatic procedure is used to measurethe line widths, which applies also in the presence of strong centralabsorption reversal. The Wilson-Bappu relationship here provided isconsidered to represent an improvement over previous recent results forthe considerably larger data sample used, as well as for a properconsideration of the measurement errors. No evidence has been found fora possible dependence of the WB effect on stellar metallicity andeffective temperature.
| The Flux Deficits in Star Spots
The bolometric flux deficits of the photospheres of spotted stars arederived for the first time in the framework of zonal spottedness modelsfor red dwarfs computed at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. Theresulting flux deficits are compared to the estimated radiative lossesfrom the chromospheres and coronas measured during quasi-simultaneousobservations. A linear correlation is found between the logarithms ofthese quantities, with the Sun fitting these relations. Radiative lossesfrom the outer stellar atmospheres in quiescence and during individualsporadic flares are significantly lower than the bolometric deficits ofthe spotted photospheres of active stars. This suggests that the fluxdeficit due to spots leads to global reconstruction of the atmospheresof red dwarfs, analogous to the local atmospheric reconstruction thatoccurs during solar and stellar flares. This process may be realized viathe superposition of a large number of weak impulsive flares and otherdynamic events, which develop on these stars and heat their coronas(i.e., in this view, microflaring is favored as the principal coronalheating mechanism for these stars). A brief analysis of the long-termvariations in the chromospheric and photospheric radiation of F-K starsfrom the HK project and of the Sun suggests that such dynamicalreconstruction of the outer atmosphere by energy associated with theflux deficit of the spotted photosphere occurs at times of increasedsurface activity in all F-M stars.
| The effect of stellar activity on the Li I 6708, Na I 5896 and K I 7699 Å lines. A comparison with the Pleiades, field stars and the Sun
An analytical model has been developed to empirically study the effectsof stellar spots and faculae on the observed equivalent widths of Li i6708, Na i 5896 and K i 7699 Å lines (and abundances in the caseof lithium) in late-type stars, taking into account the changes in theobserved magnitudes and colors. Solar spectra corresponding to differentactive regions are used as input data and a range of filling factors areapplied to simulate the surfaces of stars with different levels ofactivity. Detailed comparisons between predicted and observedphotometric colors and equivalent widths are made for late-type stars ofthe Pleiades and the field. The observed dispersions in K i and Li iequivalent widths for Pleiades stars can be partially accounted by thesimultaneous effects of activity on colors and the line formation,indicating that the lithium-rotation connection suggested for ~ 0.7-0.9M_sun Pleiades stars could be due in part to the stellar activity.However, under realistic values for the filling factors, only a smallportion of the observed spread could be explained by these effects.Based on observations collected with the Gregory-Coudé telescope,operated on the island of Tenerife by the Universitäts-SternwarteGöttingen in the Spanish Observatorio del Teide of the Instituto deAstrofísica de Canarias.
| Long-term monitoring of active stars. IX. Photometry collected in 1993
As a part of an extensive program focused on the global properties andevolution of active stars, high-precision UBV(RI)_c and UBV photometryof 31 selected stars is presented. The UBV(RI)_c observations werecollected at the European Southern Observatory over the 31 December1992-18 January 1993 and the 20 November-3 December 1993 intervals.Additional UBV photometry obtained by the ``Phoenix" and by the CataniaAstrophysical Observatory Automatic Photoelectric Telescopes from 1990to 1993 is also presented for some of the program stars. Significantevolution of the light curves, period variations and evidence forlong-term variability of the global degree of spottedness are found.Some spectral classifications are revised and the inferred photometricparallaxes are compared, whenever possible, with the values measured bythe Hipparcos satellite. These observations are finalized to theconstruction of an extended photometric database, which can giveimportant clues on topics such as the stability of spotted areas,differential rotation, solar-like cycles and the correlation betweeninhomogeneities at different atmospheric levels. Based on data collectedat the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile. Tables and thecomplete data set are also available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/367/910
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Miembro de los siguientes grupos:
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Datos observacionales y astrométricos
| Constelación: | Erídano |
| Ascensión Recta: | 02h34m22.57s |
| Declinación: | -43°47'46.9" |
| Magnitud Aparente: | 8.85 |
| Distancia: | 11.511 parsecs |
| Movimiento Propio en Ascensión Recta: | 58.5 |
| Movimiento Propio en Declinación: | -291.3 |
| B-T magnitude: | 10.554 |
| V-T magnitude: | 8.991 |
Catálogos y designaciones:
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