scholarly journals Solar chromospheric emission and magnetic structures from plages to intranetwork: Contribution of the very quiet Sun

2018 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. A87 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Meunier
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Magnetic Structures ◽  
Chromospheric Emission ◽  
The Impact

Context. We need to establish a correspondence between the magnetic structures generated by models and usual stellar activity indexes to simulate radial velocity time series for stars less active than the Sun. This is necessary to compare the outputs of such models with observed radial velocity jitters and is critical to better understand the impact of stellar activity on exoplanet detectability. Aims. We propose a coherent picture to describe the relationship between magnetic activity, including the so-called quiet Sun regions, and the chromospheric emission using the Sun as a test-bench and a reference. Methods. We analyzed a long time series of Michelson Doppler imaging (MDI) magnetograms jointly with chromospheric emission time series obtained at Sacramento Peak and Kitt Peak observatories. This has allowed us to study the variability in the quiet Sun over the solar cycle, and then, based on available relations between magnetic fields in active structures and chromospheric emission, to propose an empirical reconstruction of the solar chromospheric emission based on all contributions. Results. We show that the magnetic flux covering the solar surface, including in the quieted regions, varies in phase with the solar cycle, suggesting a long-term relationship between the global dynamo and the contribution of all components of solar activity. We have been able to propose a reconstruction of the solar S-index, including a relationship between the weak field component and its chomospheric emission, which is in good agreement with the literature. This allows us to explain that stars with a low average chromospheric emission level exhibit a low variability. Conclusions. We conclude that weak flux regions significantly contribute to the chromospheric emission; these regions should be critical in explaining the lower variability associated with the lower average activity level in other stars as compared to the Sun and estimated from their chromospheric emission.

Synoptic maps in three wavelengths of the Chromospheric Telescope

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (A30) ◽  
pp. 339-341
Author(s):  
Andrea Diercke ◽  
Carsten Denker
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Solar Disk ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Observational Period ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Solar Cycle 24 ◽  
Cycle 24 ◽  
Spectral Ranges ◽  
Full Disk

Abstracthe Chromospheric Telescope (ChroTel) observes the entire solar disk since 2011 in three different chromospheric wavelengths: Hα, Ca ii K, and He i. The instrument records full-disk images of the Sun every three minutes in these different spectral ranges. The ChroTel observations cover the rising and decaying phase of solar cycle 24. We started analyzing the ChroTel time-series and created synoptic maps of the entire observational period in all three wavelength bands. The maps will be used to analyze the poleward migration of quiet-Sun filaments in solar cycle 24.

scholarly journals Activity time series of old stars from late F to early K

2019 ◽  
Vol 628 ◽  
pp. A125 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Meunier ◽  
A.-M. Lagrange
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Spectral Type ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Cycle Period ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
Analysis Techniques

Context. The effect of stellar activity on radial velocity (RV) measurements appears to be a limiting factor in detecting Earth-mass planets in the habitable zone of a star that is similar to the Sun in spectral type and activity level. It is crucial to estimate whether this conclusion remain true for other stars with current correction methods. Aims. We built realistic time series in radial velocity and chromospheric emission for old main-sequence F6-K4 stars. We studied the effect of the stellar parameters we investigate on exoplanet detectability. The stellar parameters are spectral type, activity level, rotation period, cycle period and amplitude, latitude coverage, and spot constrast, which we chose to be in ranges that are compatible with our current knowledge of stellar activity. Methods. This very large set of synthetic time series allowed us to study the effect of the parameters on the RV jitter and how the different contributions to the RV are affected in this first analysis of the data set. The RV jitter was used to provide a first-order detection limit for each time series and different temporal samplings. Results. We find that the coverage in latitude of the activity pattern and the cycle amplitudes have a strong effect on the RV jitter, as has stellar inclination. RV jitter trends with B–V and Log R′HK are similar to observations, but activity cannot be responsible for RV jitter larger than 2–3 m s−1 for very quiet stars: this observed jitter is therefore likely to be due to other causes (instrumental noise or stellar or planetary companions, e.g.). Finally, we show that based on the RV jitter that is associated with each time series and using a simple criterion, a planet with one Earth mass and a period of one to two years probably cannot be detected with current analysis techniques, except for the lower mass stars in our sample, but very many observations would be required. The effect of inclination is critical. Conclusions. The results are very important in the context of future RV follow-ups of transit detections of such planets. We conclude that a significant improvement of analysis techniques and/or observing strategies must be made to reach such low detection limits.

scholarly journals Stellar activity analysis of Barnard’s Star: Very slow rotation and evidence for long-term activity cycle

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Toledo-Padrón ◽  
J I González Hernández ◽  
C Rodríguez-López ◽  
A Suárez Mascareño ◽  
R Rebolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Spectroscopic Data ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Photometric Data ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Slow Rotation ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Stellar Activity

Abstract The search for Earth-like planets around late-type stars using ultra-stable spectrographs requires a very precise characterization of the stellar activity and the magnetic cycle of the star, since these phenomena induce radial velocity (RV) signals that can be misinterpreted as planetary signals. Among the nearby stars, we have selected Barnard’s Star (Gl 699) to carry out a characterization of these phenomena using a set of spectroscopic data that covers about 14.5 years and comes from seven different spectrographs: HARPS, HARPS-N, CARMENES, HIRES, UVES, APF, and PFS; and a set of photometric data that covers about 15.1 years and comes from four different photometric sources: ASAS, FCAPT-RCT, AAVSO, and SNO. We have measured different chromospheric activity indicators (Hα, Ca II HK and Na I D), as well as the FWHM of the cross-correlation function computed for a sub-set of the spectroscopic data. The analysis of Generalized Lomb-Scargle periodograms of the time series of different activity indicators reveals that the rotation period of the star is 145 ± 15 days, consistent with the expected rotation period according to the low activity level of the star and previous claims. The upper limit of the predicted activity-induced RV signal corresponding to this rotation period is about 1 m/s. We also find evidence of a long-term cycle of 10 ± 2 years that is consistent with previous estimates of magnetic cycles from photometric time series in other M stars of similar activity levels. The available photometric data of the star also support the detection of both the long-term and the rotation signals.

scholarly journals Dealing with activity in RV planet searches

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29A) ◽  
pp. 193-195
Author(s):  
Isabelle Boisse
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Radial Velocities ◽  
Velocity Measurements ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
The Future

AbstractPrecise radial velocity measurements of a star allow to search for planets. But this method has to face with irregularly time series. Stellar variabilities: pulsation, granulation, stellar activity on a short and long timescale, also modify the measure of the radial velocities. There is indeed a growing literature of controversies on how a signal is interpreted as a planet or due to stellar activity. I present how the star variations change the measured RVs, which techniques and indices are used by several teams to disentangle activity and planets, and the future options that are being studied.

scholarly journals The GAPS Programme with HARPS-N at TNG

2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A155 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Lanza ◽  
L. Malavolta ◽  
S. Benatti ◽  
S. Desidera ◽  
A. Bignamini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Cross Correlation ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
P Value ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Stellar Spectrum ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
Binary Weighted ◽  
Low Activity

Aims. Stellar activity is the ultimate source of radial-velocity (hereinafter RV) noise in the search for Earth-mass planets orbiting late-type main-sequence stars. We analyse the performance of four different indicators and the chromospheric index log R′HK in detecting RV variations induced by stellar activity in 15 slowly rotating (υ sin i ≤ 5 km s−1), weakly active (log R′HK ≤ −4.95) solar-like stars observed with the high-resolution spectrograph High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher for the Northern hemisphere (HARPS-N). Methods. We consider indicators of the asymmetry of the cross-correlation function (CCF) between the stellar spectrum and the binary weighted line mask used to compute the RV, that is the bisector inverse span (BIS), ΔV, and a new indicator Vasy(mod) together with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the CCF. We present methods to evaluate the uncertainties of the CCF indicators and apply a kernel regression (KR) between the RV, the time, and each of the indicators to study their capability of reproducing the RV variations induced by stellar activity. Results. The considered indicators together with the KR prove to be useful to detect activity-induced RV variations in ~47 ± 18 percent of the stars over a two-year time span when a significance (two-sided p-value) threshold of one percent is adopted. In those cases, KR reduces the standard deviation of the RV time series by a factor of approximately two. The BIS, the FWHM, and the newly introduced Vasy(mod) are the best indicators, being useful in 27 ± 13, 13 ± 9, and 13 ± 9 percent of the cases, respectively. The relatively limited performances of the activity indicators are related to the very low activity level and υ sin i of the considered stars. For the application of our approach to sun-like stars, a spectral resolution allowing λ/Δλ ≥ 105 and highly stabilized spectrographs are recommended.

scholarly journals Apparent solar diameter and variability

1997 ◽  
Vol 181 ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Vigouroux
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Sunspot Number ◽  
Solar Physics ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Diameter ◽  
Total Irradiance ◽  
Pertinent Information

Philippe Delache brought me to solar physics in late June 1992. The first things he began with was the diameter of the Sun as it is measured at the “plateau de Calern”, and my first work was to analyze this time series in order to separate the “noise” from the pertinent information (section 2). Wet then applied the technique developed for this purpose to the study of the 11-year solar cycle as seen in the Wolf sunspot number (section 3) and I continued in collaboration with Judit Pap with the study of total irradiance and some other solar indicators which could help to understand its variations (section 4).

scholarly journals Simulating Siberian Radioheliograph response to the quiet Sun

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 106-113
Author(s):  
Сергей Лесовой ◽  
Sergey Lesovoi ◽  
Вероника Кобец ◽  
Veronika Kobets
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Solar Disk ◽  
Beam Pattern ◽  
Microwave Emission ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Extended Source ◽  
Microwave Source ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Correlation Plot ◽  
The Impact

The Siberian Radioheliograph (SRH) correlation plot is the time dependence of the sum of absolute values of complex correlations over all baselines. These plots are built for each operating frequency of SRH. The correlation is related not only to the spatial coherence of the incident microwave emission but also to antenna gains. That is why we have to consider real SRH antenna gains and shadowings. Correlation plots obtained by SRH are related to microwave flux density of the Sun and spatial features of microwave sources. Also the correlation plots show variability of SRH beam pattern in time with constant flux density and spatial structure of sources. The SRH beam pattern depends on position of the Sun with respect to SRH, which changes with time. This leads to variations of these plots, which can be confused, for example, with the quasi-harmonic oscillations of the microwave flux produced by sources located above sunspots. Because the solar disk is an extended source, the correlation plot variability is mostly due to the SRH response to the quiet Sun. The smaller is the microwave source, the smaller are the correlation plot variations caused by a change of the beam pattern. Relatively fast variations result from long baseline responses, so it is undesirable to exclude them from the plots. Moreover, the sensitivity of the plots is better when all baselines are taken in account. The impact of the correlation plot variations on the eruptive event response is especially strong because variations of microwave flux during such events are comparable with those of the correlation plots in magnitude and time. From the above it seems reasonable to simulate the SRH response to the quiet solar disk and correct the correlation plots. In this work, we propose a method for simulating correlation plots, which allows us to correct their variations caused by time and frequency dependence of SRH response to the solar disk. The correlation plots are simulated either by summing all model antenna pair responses to the model solar disk or by summing the corresponding values of the solar disk visibility under the assumption that the visibility is ~J1(x)/x, where J1(x) is the Bessel function of the first kind. Also we consider the shadowing of antennas nearest to the center of the SRH antenna array.

scholarly journals Simulating Siberian Radioheliograph response to the quiet Sun

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Сергей Лесовой ◽  
Sergey Lesovoi ◽  
Вероника Кобец ◽  
Veronika Kobets
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Solar Disk ◽  
Beam Pattern ◽  
Microwave Emission ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Extended Source ◽  
Microwave Source ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Correlation Plot ◽  
The Impact

The Siberian Radioheliograph (SRH) correlation plot is the time dependence of the sum of absolute values of complex correlations over all baselines. These plots are built for each operating frequency of SRH. The correlation is related not only to the spatial coherence of the incident microwave emission but also to antenna gains. That is why we have to consider real SRH antenna gains and shadowings. Correlation plots obtained by SRH are related to microwave flux density of the Sun and spatial features of microwave sources. Also the correlation plots show variability of SRH beam pattern in time with constant flux density and spatial structure of sources. The SRH beam pattern depends on position of the Sun with respect to SRH, which changes with time. This leads to variations of these plots, which can be confused, for example, with the quasi-harmonic oscillations of the microwave flux produced by sources located above sunspots. Because the solar disk is an extended source, the correlation plot variability is mostly due to the SRH response to the quiet Sun. The smaller is the microwave source, the smaller are the correlation plot variations caused by a change of the beam pattern. Relatively fast variations result from long baseline responses, so it is undesirable to exclude them from the plots. Moreover, the sensitivity of the plots is better when all baselines are taken in account. The impact of the correlation plot variations on the eruptive event response is especially strong because variations of microwave flux during such events are comparable with those of the correlation plots in magnitude and time. From the above it seems reasonable to simulate the SRH response to the quiet solar disk and correct the correlation plots. In this work, we propose a method for simulating correlation plots, which allows us to correct their variations caused by time and frequency dependence of SRH response to the solar disk. The correlation plots are simulated either by summing all model antenna pair responses to the model solar disk or by summing the corresponding values of the solar disk visibility under the assumption that the visibility is ~J1(x)/x, where J1(x) is the Bessel function of the first kind. Also we consider the shadowing of antennas nearest to the center of the SRH antenna array.

scholarly journals Activity time series of old stars from late F to early K

2020 ◽  
Vol 644 ◽  
pp. A77
Author(s):  
N. Meunier ◽  
A.-M. Lagrange ◽  
S. Borgniet
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Radial Velocity ◽  
High Precision ◽  
False Positive ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Solar Type ◽  
Synthetic Time Series

Context. Stellar activity strongly affects and may prevent the detection of Earth-mass planets in the habitable zone of solar-type stars with radial velocity technics. Astrometry is in principle less sensitive to stellar activity because the situation is more favourable: the stellar astrometric signal is expected to be fainter than the planetary astrometric signal compared to radial velocities. Aims. We quantify the effect of stellar activity on high-precision astrometry when Earth-mass planets are searched for in the habitable zone around old main-sequence solar-type stars. Methods. We used a very large set of magnetic activity synthetic time series to characterise the properties of the stellar astrometric signal. We then studied the detectability of exoplanets based on different approaches: first based on the theoretical level of false positives derived from the synthetic time series, and then with blind tests for old main-sequence F6-K4 stars. Results. The amplitude of the signal can be up to a few times the solar value depending on the assumptions made for activity level, spectral type, and spot contrast. The detection rates for 1 MEarth planets are very good, however, with extremely low false-positive rates in the habitable zone for stars in the F6-K4 range at 10 pc. The standard false-alarm probability using classical bootstrapping on the time series strongly overestimates the false-positive level. This affects the detection rates. Conclusions. We conclude that if technological challenges can be overcome and very high precision is reached, astrometry is much more suitable for detecting Earth-mass planets in the habitable zone around nearby solar-type stars than radial velocity, and detection rates are much higher for this range of planetary masses and periods when astrometric techniques are used than with radial velocity techniques.

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