scholarly journals The high-energy radiation environment of the habitable-zone super-Earth LHS 1140b

2019 ◽  
Vol 627 ◽  
pp. A144 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Spinelli ◽  
F. Borsa ◽  
G. Ghirlanda ◽  
G. Ghisellini ◽  
S. Campana ◽  
...  

Context. In the last few years many exoplanets in the habitable zone (HZ) of M-dwarfs have been discovered, but the X-ray/UV activity of cool stars is very different from that of our Sun. The high-energy radiation environment influences the habitability, plays a crucial role for abiogenesis, and impacts the chemistry and evolution of planetary atmospheres. LHS 1140b is one of the most interesting exoplanets discovered. It is a super-Earth-size planet orbiting in the HZ of LHS 1140, an M4.5 dwarf at ~15 parsecs. Aims. In this work, we present the results of the analysis of a Swift X-ray/UV observing campaign. We characterize for the first time the X-ray/UV radiation environment of LHS 1140b. Methods. We measure the variability of the near ultraviolet (NUV) flux and estimate the far ultraviolet (FUV) flux with a correlation between FUV1344−1786Å and NUV1771−2831Å flux obtained using the sample of low-mass stars in the GALEX archive. We highlight the presence of a dominating X-ray source close to the J2000 coordinates of LHS 1140, characterize its spectrum, and derive an X-ray flux upper limit for LHS 1140. We find that this contaminant source could have influenced the previously estimated spectral energy distribution. Results. No significant variation of the NUV1771−2831Å flux of LHS 1140 is found over 3 months, and we do not observe any flare during the 38 ks on the target. LHS 1140 is in the 25th percentile of least variable M4-M5 dwarfs of the GALEX sample. Analyzing the UV flux experienced by the HZ planet LHS 1140b, we find that outside the atmosphere it receives a NUV1771−2831Å flux <2% with respect to that of the present-day Earth, while the FUV1344−1786Å/NUV1771−2831Å ratio is ~100–200 times higher. This represents a lower limit to the true FUV/NUV ratio since the FUV1344−1786Å band does not include Lyman-alpha, which dominates the FUV output of low-mass stars. This is a warning for future searches for biomarkers, which must take into account this high ratio. Conclusions. The relatively low level and stability of UV flux experienced by LHS 1140b should be favorable for its present-day habitability.

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (3) ◽  
pp. 3658-3663
Author(s):  
S Lalitha ◽  
J H M M Schmitt ◽  
K P Singh ◽  
P C Schneider ◽  
R O Parke Loyd ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Our nearest stellar neighbour, Proxima Centauri, is a low-mass star with spectral type dM5.5 and hosting an Earth-like planet orbiting within its habitable zone. However, the habitability of the planet depends on the high-energy radiation of the chromospheric and coronal activity of the host star. We report the AstroSat, Chandra, and HST observation of Proxima Centauri carried out as part of the multiwavelength simultaneous observational campaign. Using the soft X-ray data, we probe the different activity states of the star. We investigate the coronal temperatures, emission measures and abundance. Finally, we compare our results with earlier observations of Proxima Centauri.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (S314) ◽  
pp. 203-204
Author(s):  
Kristina M. Punzi ◽  
Joel H. Kastner ◽  
David Rodriguez ◽  
David A. Principe ◽  
Laura Vican

AbstractLow-mass, pre-main sequence stars possess intense high-energy radiation fields as a result of their strong stellar magnetic activity. This stellar UV and X-ray radiation may have a profound impact on the lifetimes of protoplanetary disks. We aim to constrain the X-ray-induced photoevaporation rates of protoplanetary disks orbiting low-mass stars by analyzing serendipitous XMM-Newton and Chandra X-ray observations of candidate nearby (D < 100 pc), young (age < 100 Myr) M stars identified in the GALEX Nearby Young-Star Survey (GALNYSS).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Spinelli ◽  
Francesco Borsa ◽  
Giancarlo Ghirlanda ◽  
Gabriele Ghisellini ◽  
Sergio Campana ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Urbani ◽  
Joan Montanyà ◽  
Oscar Van der Velde ◽  
Jesús Alberto López

&lt;p&gt;In the last two decades, it has been discovered that lightning strikes can emit high-energy radiation.&lt;br&gt;In particular, a phenomenon has been observed from space called &quot;Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flash'' (TGF), which consists of an intense burst of gamma radiation that can be produced during thunderstorms. This phenomenon has met with considerable interest in the scientific community and its mechanism is still not fully understood. Nowadays several satellites for astrophysics like AGILE and FERMI are able to detect and map TGFs and specific instruments like the ASIM detector on the ISS are studying this phenomenon from space.&lt;br&gt;In the atmosphere, the high-energy radiation undergoes a strong absorption exponentially proportional to the air density which makes it more difficult to detect TGFs on the ground. Nonetheless, ground measurements were conducted and observed that even in cloud-to-ground lightning high-energy radiation were produced. In particular, the works of Moore et al. [2001] and Dwyer et al. [2005] highlight two lightning processes in which the X-ray emission could be produced: downward negative stepped leader and dart leader. Currently, it is not clear if the emissions revealed on the ground and the TGFs observed in space are essentially the same phenomenon or how these phenomena are related. For these reasons, it is particularly interesting to study high-energy emissions also from ground instruments because, despite the strong absorption of the high-energy radiation, ground observations can reach a better accuracy in time and space and provide crucial information to investigate the origin and conditions under which these emissions occur.&lt;br&gt;A privileged instrument for this research is the VHF Lightning Interferometer, a system of antennas that allows you to map lightning through the very high frequency (VHF) emission. Due to the high resolution of this instrument, should be possible to locate the origin of the high-energy emissions and hopefully provide a better understanding of the radiation mechanism.&lt;br&gt;The aim of this research is, therefore, to develop a 3D interferometry system to identify as accurately as possible the origin and the conditions in which the X-ray emission occurs in cloud-to-ground lightning and investigate the relation of the VHF emissions with the TGFs.&lt;br&gt;Recently an observation campaign was conducted in Colombia with two VHF Lightning Interferometers and two X-rays detectors. This interferometry system was installed in the coverage area of a Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) and LINET to take advantage of the complementary information that these lightning location networks could provide. At the moment, about 15 lightning events with X-ray emissions were observed, including five X-ray bursts from downward negative leaders and two emissions from dart leaders. Further studies and analysis of the collected data are still ongoing.&lt;/p&gt;


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S275) ◽  
pp. 404-405
Author(s):  
María V. del Valle ◽  
Gustavo E. Romero

AbstractT Tauri stars are low mass, pre-main sequence stars. These objects are surrounded by an accretion disk and present strong magnetic activity. T Tauri stars are copious emitters of X-ray emission which belong to powerful magnetic reconnection events. Strong magnetospheric shocks are likely outcome of massive reconnection. Such shocks can accelerate particles up to relativistic energies through Fermi mechanism. We present a model for the high-energy radiation produced in the environment of T Tauri stars. We aim at determining whether this emission is detectable. If so, the T Tauri stars should be very nearby.


1970 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 413-423
Author(s):  
O. P. Manley ◽  
S. Olbert

This presentation attempts to describe in very qualitative terms a theory of production of high energy radiation (soft and hard X-rays) in magnetoactive plasmas of astrophysical interest. Special emphasis has been placed on the application of our model to extars and in particular to Sco X-1. More rigorous arguments may be found elsewhere [1] and the interested reader is urged to consult that reference for more details.


Author(s):  
A.N. Sudarkin ◽  
O.P. Ivanov ◽  
V.E. Stepanov ◽  
A.G. Volkovich ◽  
A.S. Turin ◽  
...  

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 923-928
Author(s):  
Marek Sikora

AbstractTwo recent findings concerning high-energy radiation properties of active galactic nuclei—discovery of breaks in hard X-ray spectra of Seyfert galaxies, and discovery of huge fluxes of hard gamma rays from blazars—seem to press us to change our standard views about radiation production in these objects. I review briefly the existing radiation models, confront them with the newest observations, and discuss newly emerging theoretical pictures which attempt to account for the discoveries.Subject headings: galaxies: active — galaxies: nuclei — radiation mechanisms: nonthermal


2020 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. S694
Author(s):  
S.B.C. Debnath ◽  
D. Tonneau ◽  
C. Fauquet ◽  
A. Goncalves ◽  
A. Tallet ◽  
...  

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