scholarly journals The frequency of stellar X-ray flares from a large-scale XMM-Newton sample

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S320) ◽  
pp. 134-137
Author(s):  
John P. Pye ◽  
Simon R. Rosen

AbstractWe present estimates of cool-star X-ray flare rates determined from the XMM-Tycho survey (Pyeet al. 2015, A&A, 581, A28), and compare them with previously published values for the Sun and for other stellar EUV and white-light samples. We demonstrate the importance of applying appropriate corrections, especially in regard to the total, effective size of the stellar sample. Our results are broadly consistent with rates reported in the literature for Kepler white-light flares from solar-type stars, and with extrapolations of solar flare rates, indicating the potential of stellar X-ray flare observations to address issues such as ‘space weather’ in exoplanetary systems and our own solar system.

1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. S757-S760 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Lin

The > 40-keV solar-flare electrons observed by the IMP III and Mariner IV satellites are shown to be closely correlated with solar radio and X-ray burst emission. In particular, intense type III radio bursts are observed to accompany solar electron-event flares. The energies of the electrons, the total number of electrons, and the size of the electron source at the sun can be inferred from radio observations. The characteristics of the electrons observed in interplanetary space are consistent with these radio observations. Therefore these electrons are identified as the exciting agents of the type III emission. It has been noted that the radio and X-ray bursts are part of the flash phase of flares. The observations indicate that a striking feature of the flash phase is the production of electrons of 10–100 keV energies.


Author(s):  
Hugh S. Hudson

The Carrington event in 1859, a solar flare with an associated geomagnetic storm, has served as a prototype of possible superflare occurrence on the Sun. Recent geophysical (14C signatures in tree rings) and precise time-series photometry [the bolometric total solar irradiance (TSI) for the Sun, and the broadband photometry from Kepler and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, for the stars] have broadened our perspective on extreme events and the threats that they pose for Earth and for Earth-like exoplanets. This review assesses the mutual solar and/or stellar lessons learned and the status of our theoretical understanding of the new data, both stellar and solar, as they relate to the physics of the Carrington event. The discussion includes the event's implied coronal mass ejection, its potential “solar cosmic ray” production, and the observed geomagnetic disturbances based on the multimessenger information already available in that era. Taking the Carrington event as an exemplar of the most extreme solar event, and in the context of our rich modern knowledge of solar flare and/or coronal mass ejection events, we discuss the aspects of these processes that might be relevant to activity on solar-type stars, and in particular their superflares. ▪ The Carrington flare of 1859, though powerful, did not significantly exceed the magnitudes of the greatest events observed in the modern era. ▪ Stellar “superflare” events on solar-type stars may share common paradigms, and also suggest the possibility of a more extreme solar event at some time in the future. ▪ We benefit from comparing the better-known microphysics of solar flares and CMEs with the diversity of related stellar phenomena. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 59 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoichiro Hanaoka ◽  
Takashi Sakurai ◽  
Ken’ichi Otsuji ◽  
Isao Suzuki ◽  
Satoshi Morita

The solar group at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is conducting synoptic solar observation with the Solar Flare Telescope. While it is a part of a long-term solar monitoring, contributing to the study of solar dynamo governing solar activity cycles, it is also an attempt at contributing to space weather research. The observations include imaging with filters for Hα, Ca K, G-band, and continuum, and spectropolarimetry at the wavelength bands including the He I 1083.0 nm/Si I 1082.7 nm and the Fe I 1564.8 nm lines. Data for the brightness, Doppler signal, and magnetic field information of the photosphere and the chromosphere are obtained. In addition to monitoring dynamic phenomena like flares and filament eruptions, we can track the evolution of the magnetic fields that drive them on the basis of these data. Furthermore, the magnetic field in solar filaments, which develops into a part of the interplanetary magnetic cloud after their eruption and occasionally hits the Earth, can be inferred in its pre-eruption configuration. Such observations beyond mere classical monitoring of the Sun will hereafter become crucially important from the viewpoint of the prediction of space weather phenomena. The current synoptic observations with the Solar Flare Telescope is considered to be a pioneering one for future synoptic observations of the Sun with advanced instruments.


1983 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 161-164
Author(s):  
Theodore Simon ◽  
Ann Merchant Boesgaard

The difficulties of measuring magnetic fields in late-type stars other than the sun are well known, as one is reminded by other contributions to these Proceedings. This Symposium nevertheless comes at a very opportune time, as we are now at the point where we can begin to explore the relationship of stellar magnetism to flare activity and quiescent cool star chromospheres, transition regions (TRs), and coronae.


1972 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 655-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H. Gabriel

AbstractSatellite lines, situated on the long wavelength side of the helium-like ion resonance line, can be observed in highly-ionized ions both in laboratory sources and from the Sun. Although seen for more than 30 years, these lines have only recently been classified in detail as inner-shell transitions in lithium-like ions. Laboratory experiments have shown that under steady-state conditions these satellites are produced by dielectronic recombination, although in transient ionizing plasmas direct inner-shell excitation can be important. Detailed calculations have been carried out for high Z ions up to copper, and the results can be compared with solar flare spectra in iron. Such comparisons allow both the electron temperature and the transient state of the plasma to be determined. Laboratory spectra from such high-Z ions are different in appearance, and may be dominated by processes resulting from the transient ionizing state of the plasma.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. A43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward M. B. Thiemann ◽  
Francis G. Eparvier ◽  
Don Woodraska ◽  
Phillip C. Chamberlin ◽  
Janet Machol ◽  
...  

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R (GOES-R) series of four satellites are the next generation NOAA GOES satellites. Once on orbit and commissioned, they are renamed GOES 16–19, making critical terrestrial and space weather measurements through 2035. GOES 16 and 17 are currently on orbit, having been launched in 2016 and 2018, respectively. The GOES-R satellites include the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) instrument suite, which measures calibrated solar irradiance in eight lines or bands between 25 nm and 285 nm with the Extreme Ultraviolet Sensors (EUVS) instrument. EXIS also includes the X-Ray Sensor (XRS) instrument, which measures solar soft X-ray irradiance at the legacy GOES bands. The EUVS Measurements are used as inputs to the EUVS Model, a solar spectral irradiance model for space weather operations that predicts irradiance in twenty-two 5 nm wide intervals from 5 nm to 115 nm, and one 10 nm wide interval from 117 to 127 nm at 30 s cadence. Once fully operational, NOAA will distribute the EUVS Model irradiance with 1 min latency as a primary space weather data product, ushering in a new era of rapid dissemination and measurement continuity of EUV irradiance spectra. This paper describes the EUVS Model algorithms, data sources, calibration methods and associated uncertainties. Typical model (relative) uncertainties are less than ~5% for variability at time-scales longer than 6 h, and are ~25% for solar flare induced variability. The absolute uncertainties, originating from the instruments used to calibrate the EUVS Model, are ~10%. Examples of model results are presented at both sub-daily and multi-year timescales to demonstrate the model’s capabilities and limitations. Example solar flare irradiances are also modeled.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. A47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Kahler ◽  
Alan. G. Ling

Solar flare X-ray peak fluxes and fluences in the 0.1–0.8 nm band are often used in models to forecast solar energetic particle (SEP) events. Garcia (2004) [Forecasting methods for occurrence and magnitude of proton storms with solar soft X rays, Space Weather, 2, S02002, 2004] used ratios of the 0.05–0.4 and 0.1–0.8 nm bands of the X-ray instrument on the GOES spacecraft to plot inferred peak flare temperatures versus peak 0.1–0.8 nm fluxes for flares from 1988 to 2002. Flares associated with E > 10 MeV SEP events of >10 proton flux units (pfu) had statistically lower peak temperatures than those without SEP events and therefore offered a possible empirical forecasting tool for SEP events. We review the soft and hard X-ray flare spectral variations as SEP event forecast tools and repeat Garcia’s work for the period 1998–2016, comparing both the peak ratios and the ratios of the preceding 0.05–0.4 nm peak fluxes to the later 0.1–0.8 nm peak fluxes of flares >M3 to the occurrence of associated SEP events. We divide the events into eastern and western hemisphere sources and compare both small (1.2–10 pfu) and large (≥300 pfu) SEP events with those of >10 pfu. In the western hemisphere X-ray peak ratios are statistically lower for >10 pfu SEP events than for non-SEP events and are even lower for the large (>300 pfu) events. The small SEP events, however, are not distinguished from the non-SEP events. We discuss the possible connections between the flare X-ray peak ratios and associated coronal mass ejections that are presumed to be the sources of the SEPs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (S300) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Wimmer-Schweingruber

AbstractThe Sun somehow accelerates the solar wind, an incessant stream of plasma originating in coronal holes and some, as yet unidentified, regions. Occasionally, coronal, and possibly sub-photospheric structures, conspire to energize a spectacular eruption from the Sun which we call a coronal mass ejection (CME). These can leave the Sun at very high speeds and travel through the interplanetary medium, resulting in a large-scale disturbance of the ambient background plasma. These interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs) can drive shocks which in turn accelerate particles, but also have a distinct intrinsic magnetic structure which is capable of disturbing the Earth's magnetic field and causing significant geomagnetic effects. They also affect other planets, so they can and do contribute to space weather throughout the heliosphere. This paper presents a historical review of early space weather studies, a modern-day example, and discusses space weather throughout the heliosphere.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-189
Author(s):  
H. Zinnecker ◽  
C. Scarfe ◽  
C. Allen ◽  
T. Armstrong ◽  
W. Hartkopf ◽  
...  

This triennial report (1996-1999) reviews the subject from a somewhat personal angle, mostly related to binary star formation and young binary star populations – a subject whose time had come in the early 1990s and is now in full swing.Many astronomers have searched for binary systems among main-sequence stars, and two large-scale surveys published in 1991 and 1992 have already become classics. Well before they became famous for finding extrasolar planets (see below), observing teams led by Michel Mayor (Geneva Observatory) and Geoffrey Marcy (San Francisco State Univ., now Univ. of Calif, at Berkeley) spent many years searching for low-mass stellar companions of nearby stars. The late Antoine Duquennoy and Mayor surveyed all solar-type dwarfs (spectral types F7 through G9) within 20 pc of the Sun, while Debra Fischer and Marcy studied stars with somewhat lower mass (M dwarfs) slightly nearer to the Sun.


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