scholarly journals Starspots properties and stellar activity from planetary transits

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S328) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
Adriana Valio
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Stellar Surface ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Magnetic Cycles

AbstractMagnetic activity of stars manifests itself in the form of dark spots on the stellar surface. This in turn will cause variations of a few percent in the star light curve as it rotates. When an orbiting planet eclipses its host a star, it may cross in front of one of these spots. In this case, a “bump” will be detected in the transit lightcurve. By fitting these spot signatures with a model, it is possible to determine the spots physical properties such as size, temperature, location, magnetic field, and lifetime. Moreover, the monitoring of the spots longitude provides estimates of the stellar rotation and differential rotation. For long time series of transits during multiple years, magnetic cycles can also be determined. This model has been applied successfully to CoRoT-2, CoRoT-4, CoRot-5, CoRoT-6, CoRoT-8, CoRoT-18, Kepler-17, and Kepler-63.

Characterization of stellar activity using transits and its impact on habitability

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S354) ◽  
pp. 461-466
Author(s):  
Raissa Estrela ◽  
Adriana Valio ◽  
Sourav Palit
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Coronal Plasma ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
Magnetic Cycles ◽  
Living Organisms

AbstractStellar magnetic field is the driver of activity in stars and can trigger spots, energetic flares, coronal plasma ejections and ionized winds. These phenomena play a crucial role in understanding the internal mechanisms of the star, but can also have potential effects in orbiting planets. During the transit of a planet, spots can be occulted producing features imprinted in the transit light curve. Here, we modelled these features to characterize the physical properties of the spots (radius, intensity, and location). In addition, we monitor spots signatures on multiple transits to estimate magnetic cycles length of Kepler stars. Flares have also been observed during transits in active stars. We derive the properties of the flares and analyse their UV impact on possible living organisms in planets orbiting in the habitable zone.

scholarly journals Investigating stellar surface rotation using observations of starspots

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S286) ◽  
pp. 268-278
Author(s):  
Heidi Korhonen
Keyword(s):  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Solar Surface ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Stellar Surface ◽  
Close Binary ◽  
Line Profiles ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Rotation Rates ◽  
Cool Stars

AbstractRapid rotation enhances the dynamo operating in stars, and thus also introduces significantly stronger magnetic activity than is seen in slower rotators. Many young cool stars still have the rapid, primordial rotation rates induced by the interstellar molecular cloud from which they were formed. Also older stars in close binary systems are often rapid rotators. These types of stars can show strong magnetic activity and large starspots. In the case of large starspots which cause observable changes in the brightness of the star, and even in the shapes of the spectral line profiles, one can get information on the rotation of the star. At times even information on the spot rotation at different stellar latitudes can be obtained, similarly to the solar surface differential rotation measurements using magnetic features as tracers. Here, I will review investigations of stellar rotation based on starspots. I will discuss what we can obtain from ground-based photometry and how that improves with the uninterrupted, high precision, observations from space. The emphasis will be on how starspots, and even stellar surface differential rotation, can be studied using high resolution spectra.

scholarly journals Study of stellar activity through transit mapping of starspots

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S273) ◽  
pp. 96-103
Author(s):  
Adriana Valio
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
Active Star ◽  
Planetary Transits

AbstractDuring the eclipse of a planet, spots and other features on the surface of the host star may be occulted. This will cause small variations in the light curve of the star. Detailed studies of these variations during planetary transits provide a wealth of information about the starspots properties such as size, position, temperature (i.e. intensity), and magnetic field. If observation of multiple transits is available, the spots lifetime can be estimated. Moreover it may also be possible to determine the stellar rotation and whether differential rotation is present. Here, the study is performed using a method that simulates the passage of a planet (dark disk) in front of a star with multiple spots of different sizes, intensities, and positions on its surface. The data variations in the light curve of the star are fit using this method, yielding the starspots properties. Results are presented for solar-like stars, such as the active star CoRoT-2a.

scholarly journals Surface magnetic activity of the fast-rotating G5 giant IN Comae, central star of the faint planetary nebula LoTr 5

2019 ◽  
Vol 624 ◽  
pp. A83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zs. Kővári ◽  
K. G. Strassmeier ◽  
K. Oláh ◽  
L. Kriskovics ◽  
K. Vida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Planetary Nebula ◽  
Spectral Synthesis ◽  
Binary Star ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Stellar Surface ◽  
Average Lifetime

Context. On the asymptotic giant branch, low to intermediate mass stars blow away their outer envelopes, forming planetary nebulae. Dynamic interaction between the planetary nebula and its central progenitor is poorly understood. The interaction is even more complex when the central object is a binary star with a magnetically active component, as is the case for the target in this paper. Aims. We aim to quantify the stellar surface activity of the cool binary component of IN Com and aim to explain its origin. In general, we need a better understanding of how central binary stars in planetary nebulae evolve and how this evolution could develop such magnetically active stars as IN Com. Methods. We present a time series of 13 consecutive Doppler images covering six months in 2017 that we used to measure the surface differential rotation with a cross-correlation method. Hitherto unpublished high-precision photometric data from 1989 to 2017 are presented. We applied Fourier-transformation-based frequency analysis to both photometry and spectra. Very high resolution (R ≈ 200 000) spectra were used to update IN Com’s astrophysical parameters by means of spectral synthesis. Results. Our time-series Doppler images show cool and warm spots coexisting with an average surface temperature contrast of −1000 K and +300 K with respect to the effective temperature. Approximately 8% of the stellar surface is covered with cool spots and ∼3% with warm spots. A consistent cool polar spot is seen in all images. The average lifetime of the cool spots is not much more than a few stellar rotations (one month), while the warm spots appear to live longer (three months) and are mostly confined to high latitudes. We found anti-solar surface differential rotation with a shear coefficient of α = −0.026 ± 0.005 suggesting an equatorial rotation period of 5.973 ± 0.008 d. We reconfirm the 5.9 day rotation period of the cool star from photometry, radial velocities, and Hα line-profile variations. A long-term V-brightness variation with a likely period of 7.2 yr is also found. It appears in phase with the orbital radial velocity of the binary system in the sense that it is brightest at highest velocity and faintest at lowest velocity, that is, at the two phases of quadrature. We redetermine [Ba/Fe], [Y/Fe], and [Sr/Fe] ratios and confirm the overabundance of these s-process elements in the atmosphere of IN Com.

scholarly journals Magnetic braking of supermassive stars through winds

2019 ◽  
Vol 623 ◽  
pp. L7 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Haemmerlé ◽  
G. Meynet
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Formation Process ◽  
Magnetic Coupling ◽  
Rotation Velocity ◽  
Stellar Surface ◽  
Stellar Winds ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Magnetic Braking ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Context. Supermassive stars (SMSs) are candidates for being progenitors of supermassive quasars at high redshifts. However, their formation process requires strong mechanisms that would be able to extract the angular momentum of the gas that the SMSs accrete. Aims. We investigate under which conditions the magnetic coupling between an accreting SMS and its winds can remove enough angular momentum for accretion to proceed from a Keplerian disc. Methods. We numerically computed the rotational properties of accreting SMSs that rotate at the ΩΓ-limit and estimated the magnetic field that is required to maintain the rotation velocity at this limit using prescriptions from magnetohydrodynamical simulations of stellar winds. Results. We find that a magnetic field of 10 kG at the stellar surface is required to satisfy the constraints on stellar rotation from the ΩΓ-limit. Conclusions. Magnetic coupling between the envelope of SMSs and their winds could allow for SMS formation by accretion from a Keplerian disc, provided the magnetic field is at the upper end of present-day observed stellar fields. Such fields are consistent with primordial origins.

scholarly journals Differential Rotation and Magnetic Activity of the Lower Main Sequence Stars

1980 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 296-297
Author(s):  
G. Belvedere ◽  
L. Paterno ◽  
M. Stix
Keyword(s):  
Spherical Shell ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Coupling Constant ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Dynamo Theory ◽  
Magnetic Cycles ◽  
Surface Convection

AbstractWe extend to the lower main sequence stars the analysis of convection interacting with rotation in a compressible spherical shell, already applied to the solar case (Belvedere and Paterno, 1977; Belvedere et al. 1979a). We assume that the coupling constant ε between convection and rotation, does not depend on the spectral type. Therefore we take ε determined from the observed differential rotation of the Sun, and compute differential rotation and magnetic cycles for stars ranging from F5 to MO, namely for those stars which are supposed to possess surface convection zones (Belvedere et al. 1979b, c, d). The results show that the strength of differential rotation decreases from a maximum at F5 down to a minimum at G5 and then increases towards later spectral types. The computations of the magnetic cycles based on the αω-dynamo theory show that dynamo instability decreases from F5 to G5, and then increases towards the later spectral types reaching a maximum at MO. The period of the magnetic cycles increases from a few years at F5 to about 100 years at MO. Also the extension of the surface magnetic activity increases substantially towards the later spectral types. The results are discussed in the framework of Wilson’s (1978) observations.

scholarly journals RS CVn binary IM Peg – investigation of stellar activity and surface flows

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S264) ◽  
pp. 267-269
Author(s):  
Heidi Korhonen ◽  
Michael Weber ◽  
Markus Wittkowski ◽  
Thomas Granzer ◽  
Klaus G. Strassmeier
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Input Parameter ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Stellar Surface ◽  
Doppler Imaging ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Rotation Pattern ◽  
Temperature Maps

AbstractWe have obtained high resolution, high S/N spectra of the RS CVn binary IM Peg using UVES spectrograph at Kueyen 8.2m telescope of ESO VLT. We use Doppler imaging techniques to obtain stellar surface temperature maps from the UVES data. The TempMap code allows us to use surface differential rotation as an input parameter and thus to try to construct the rotation pattern on the stellar surface as part of the inversion process. The UVES observations are combined with spectroscopic observations from another time period obtained at the STELLA observatory. We obtain stellar surface temperature maps also from these spectra. These Doppler images are used to study the magnetic activity and surface differential rotation on IM Peg.

scholarly journals Gaia Data Release 2

2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A16 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Lanzafame ◽  
E. Distefano ◽  
S. Messina ◽  
I. Pagano ◽  
A. F. Lanza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Variable Stars ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Flux Modulation ◽  
Two Populations

Context. Amongst the ≈5 × 105 sources identified as variable stars in Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2), 26% are rotational modulation variable candidates of the BY Dra class. Gaia DR2 provides their multi-band (G, GBP, and GRP) photometric time series collected by the European Space Agency spacecraft Gaia during the first 22 months of operations as well as the essential parameters related to their flux modulation induced by surface inhomogeneities and rotation. Aims. We developed methods to identify the BY Dra variable candidates and to infer their variability parameters. Methods. BY Dra candidates were pre-selected from their position in the Hertzsprung–Russel diagram, built from Gaia parallaxes, G magnitudes, and (GBP − GRP) colours. Since the time evolution of the stellar active region can disrupt the coherence of the signal, segments not much longer than their expected evolution timescale were extracted from the entire photometric time series, and period search algorithms were applied to each segment. For the Gaia DR2, we selected sources with similar periods in at least two segments as candidate BY Dra variables. Results were further filtered considering the time-series phase coverage and the expected approximate light-curve shape. Results. Gaia DR2 includes rotational periods and modulation amplitudes of 147 535 BY Dra candidates. The data unveil the existence of two populations with distinctive period and amplitude distributions. The sample covers 38% of the whole sky when divided into bins (HEALPix) of ≈0.84 square degrees, and we estimate that this represents 0.7–5% of all BY Dra stars potentially detectable with Gaia. Conclusions. The preliminary data contained in Gaia DR2 illustrate the vast and unique information that the mission is going to provide on stellar rotation and magnetic activity. This information, complemented by the exquisite Gaia parallaxes, proper motions, and astrophysical parameters, is opening new and unique perspectives for our understanding of the evolution of stellar angular momentum and dynamo action.

scholarly journals Global magnetic cycles in rapidly rotating younger suns

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S273) ◽  
pp. 272-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Nelson ◽  
Benjamin P. Brown ◽  
Matthew K. Browning ◽  
Allan Sacha Brun ◽  
Mark S. Miesch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Rotation ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Opposite Polarity ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Magnetic Buoyancy ◽  
Magnetic Cycles

AbstractObservations of sun-like stars rotating faster than our current sun tend to exhibit increased magnetic activity as well as magnetic cycles spanning multiple years. Using global simulations in spherical shells to study the coupling of large-scale convection, rotation, and magnetism in a younger sun, we have probed effects of rotation on stellar dynamos and the nature of magnetic cycles. Major 3-D MHD simulations carried out at three times the current solar rotation rate reveal hydromagnetic dynamo action that yields wreaths of strong toroidal magnetic field at low latitudes, often with opposite polarity in the two hemispheres. Our recent simulations have explored behavior in systems with considerably lower diffusivities, achieved with sub-grid scale models including a dynamic Smagorinsky treatment of unresolved turbulence. The lower diffusion promotes the generation of magnetic wreaths that undergo prominent temporal variations in field strength, exhibiting global magnetic cycles that involve polarity reversals. In our least diffusive simulation, we find that magnetic buoyancy coupled with advection by convective giant cells can lead to the rise of coherent loops of magnetic field toward the top of the simulated domain.

scholarly journals Optimized transit detection algorithm to search for periodic transits of small planets

2019 ◽  
Vol 623 ◽  
pp. A39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hippke ◽  
René Heller
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Signal Detection ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Laptop Computer ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Long Time

We present a new method to detect planetary transits from time-series photometry, the transit least squares (TLS) algorithm. TLS searches for transit-like features while taking the stellar limb darkening and planetary ingress and egress into account. We have optimized TLS for both signal detection efficiency (SDE) of small planets and computational speed. TLS analyses the entire, unbinned phase-folded light curve. We compensated for the higher computational load by (i.) using algorithms such as “Mergesort” (for the trial orbital phases) and by (ii.) restricting the trial transit durations to a smaller range that encompasses all known planets, and using stellar density priors where available. A typical K2 light curve, including 80 d of observations at a cadence of 30 min, can be searched with TLS in ∼10 s real time on a standard laptop computer, as fast as the widely used box least squares (BLS) algorithm. We perform a transit injection-retrieval experiment of Earth-sized planets around sun-like stars using synthetic light curves with 110 ppm white noise per 30 min cadence, corresponding to a photometrically quiet KP = 12 star observed with Kepler. We determine the SDE thresholds for both BLS and TLS to reach a false positive rate of 1% to be SDE = 7 in both cases. The resulting true positive (or recovery) rates are ∼93% for TLS and ∼76% for BLS, implying more reliable detections with TLS. We also test TLS with the K2 light curve of the TRAPPIST-1 system and find six of seven Earth-sized planets using an iterative search for increasingly lower signal detection efficiency, the phase-folded transit of the seventh planet being affected by a stellar flare. TLS is more reliable than BLS in finding any kind of transiting planet but it is particularly suited for the detection of small planets in long time series from Kepler, TESS, and PLATO. We make our python implementation of TLS publicly available.

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