scholarly journals TESS Asteroseismology of α Mensae: Benchmark Ages for a G7 Dwarf and Its M Dwarf Companion

2021 ◽  
Vol 922 (2) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Ashley Chontos ◽  
Daniel Huber ◽  
Travis A. Berger ◽  
Hans Kjeldsen ◽  
Aldo M. Serenelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rotation Period ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Small Population ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Primary Alpha ◽  
Fundamental Properties ◽  
Long Baseline ◽  
Empirical Relations ◽  
Subgiant Stars ◽  
M Dwarf

Abstract Asteroseismology of bright stars has become increasingly important as a method to determine the fundamental properties (in particular ages) of stars. The Kepler Space Telescope initiated a revolution by detecting oscillations in more than 500 main-sequence and subgiant stars. However, most Kepler stars are faint and therefore have limited constraints from independent methods such as long-baseline interferometry. Here we present the discovery of solar-like oscillations in α Men A, a naked-eye (V = 5.1) G7 dwarf in TESS’s southern continuous viewing zone. Using a combination of astrometry, spectroscopy, and asteroseismology, we precisely characterize the solar analog α Men A (T eff = 5569 ± 62 K, R ⋆ = 0.960 ± 0.016 R ⊙, M ⋆ = 0.964 ± 0.045 M ⊙). To characterize the fully convective M dwarf companion, we derive empirical relations to estimate mass, radius, and temperature given the absolute Gaia magnitude and metallicity, yielding M ⋆ = 0.169 ± 0.006 M ⊙, R ⋆ = 0.19 ± 0.01 R ⊙, and T eff = 3054 ± 44 K. Our asteroseismic age of 6.2 ± 1.4 (stat) ± 0.6 (sys) Gyr for the primary places α Men B within a small population of M dwarfs with precisely measured ages. We combined multiple ground-based spectroscopy surveys to reveal an activity cycle of P = 13.1 ± 1.1 yr for α Men A, a period similar to that observed in the Sun. We used different gyrochronology models with the asteroseismic age to estimate a rotation period of ∼30 days for the primary. Alpha Men A is now the closest (d = 10 pc) solar analog with a precise asteroseismic age from space-based photometry, making it a prime target for next-generation direct-imaging missions searching for true Earth analogs.

scholarly journals Magnetic activity in the HARPS M dwarf sample

2017 ◽  
Vol 600 ◽  
pp. A13 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Astudillo-Defru ◽  
X. Delfosse ◽  
X. Bonfils ◽  
T. Forveille ◽  
C. Lovis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
The Relationship

Context. Atmospheric magnetic fields in stars with convective envelopes heat stellar chromospheres, and thus increase the observed flux in the Ca ii H and K doublet. Starting with the historical Mount Wilson monitoring program, these two spectral lines have been widely used to trace stellar magnetic activity, and as a proxy for rotation period (Prot) and consequently for stellar age. Monitoring stellar activity has also become essential in filtering out false-positives due to magnetic activity in extra-solar planet surveys. The Ca ii emission is traditionally quantified through the R'HK-index, which compares the chromospheric flux in the doublet to the overall bolometric flux of the star. Much work has been done to characterize this index for FGK-dwarfs, but M dwarfs – the most numerous stars of the Galaxy – were left out of these analyses and no calibration of their Ca ii H and K emission to an R'HK exists to date. Aims. We set out to characterize the magnetic activity of the low- and very-low-mass stars by providing a calibration of the R'HK-index that extends to the realm of M dwarfs, and by evaluating the relationship between R'HK and the rotation period. Methods. We calibrated the bolometric and photospheric factors for M dwarfs to properly transform the S-index (which compares the flux in the Ca ii H and K lines to a close spectral continuum) into the R'HK. We monitored magnetic activity through the Ca ii H and K emission lines in the HARPS M dwarf sample. Results. The R'HK index, like the fractional X-ray luminosity LX/Lbol, shows a saturated correlation with rotation, with saturation setting in around a ten days rotation period. Above that period, slower rotators show weaker Ca ii activity, as expected. Under that period, the R'HK index saturates to approximately 10-4. Stellar mass modulates the Ca ii activity, with R'HK showing a constant basal activity above 0.6 M⊙ and then decreasing with mass between 0.6 M⊙ and the fully-convective limit of 0.35 M⊙. Short-term variability of the activity correlates with its mean level and stars with higher R'HK indexes show larger R'HK variability, as previously observed for earlier spectral types.

scholarly journals Activity and differential rotation of the early M dwarf Kepler-45 from transit mapping

2020 ◽  
Vol 492 (4) ◽  
pp. 5141-5151
Author(s):  
S M Zaleski ◽  
A Valio ◽  
B D Carter ◽  
S C Marsden
Keyword(s):  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Theoretical Modelling ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Convective Envelope ◽  
Rotation Periods ◽  
Solar Type ◽  
Rotational Shear

ABSTRACT Little is known of the activity and differential rotation of low luminosity, early M dwarfs from direct observation. We present the first stellar activity analysis of star-spots and faculae for the hot Jupiter hosting M1V dwarf Kepler-45 from $\it Kepler$ transit light curves. We find star-spot and facula temperatures contrasting a few hundred degrees with the quiet photosphere, hence similar to other early M dwarfs having a convective envelope surrounding a radiative core. Star-spots are prominent close to the centre of the stellar disc, with faculae prominent towards the limbs, similar to what is observed for the Sun. Star-spot and facula mean sizes are about 40 and 45 × 103 km, respectively, and thus faculae occupy a 10 per cent larger surface area than the star-spots. A short-term activity cycle of about 295 d is observed that is reminiscent of those seen for other cool dwarfs. Adopting a solar-type differential rotation profile (faster equatorial rotation than polar rotation), our star-spot and facula temporal mapping indicates a rotation period of 15.520 ± 0.025 d at the transit latitude of −33.2°. From the mean stellar rotation of 15.762 d, we estimate a rotational shear of 0.031 ± 0.004 rad d−1, or a relative differential rotation of 7.8 ± 0.9 per cent. Kepler-45’s surface rotational shear is thus consistent with observations and theoretical modelling of other early M dwarfs that indicate a shear of less than 0.045 rad d−1 and no less than 0.03 rad d−1 for stars with similar stellar rotation periods.

scholarly journals The Mass-Luminosity Relation From Binaries

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 419-420
Author(s):  
David W. Latham
Keyword(s):  
Eclipsing Binaries ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Nearby Stars ◽  
The Masses ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
Magnitude Difference ◽  
Astrometric Binaries ◽  
Better Than

What is known about the masses of main-sequence stars from the analysis of binary orbits? Double-lined eclipsing binaries are the main source of very precise stellar masses and radii (e.g. Andersen 1997), contributing more than 100 determinations with better than 2% precision over the range 0.6 to 20 Mʘ. For lower-mass stars we are forced to turn to nearby systems with astrometric orbits (e.g. Henry et al. 1993). Not only is the number of good mass determinations from such systems smaller, but also the precision is generally poorer. We are approaching an era when interferometers should have a major impact by supplying good astrometric orbits for dozens of double-lined systems. Already we are beginning to see the sorts of results to expect from this (e.g. Torres et al. 1997). Figure 1. Mass vs. absolute V magnitude for eclipsing binaries (circles) and nearby astrometric binaries (squares) Figure 1 is an updated version of a diagram presented by Henry et al. (1993, their Figure 2). It shows the general run of mass determinations from about 10 Mʘ down to the substellar limit near 0.075 Mʘ. Ninety of the points in Figure 1 are for eclipsing binary masses from Andersen’s review (1991) and are plotted as open circles. The results for eclipsing binaries published since 1991 are plotted as 30 filled circles, adopting the same limit of 2% for the mass precision. In most cases the uncertainties are similar to the size of the symbols. Especially noteworthy is the pair of new points for CM Draconis (Metcalfe et al. 1996) with masses near 0.25 Mʘ. Together with the points for YY Geminorum near 0.6 Mʘ, these are the only M dwarfs that have precise mass determinations. For the most part we are forced to rely on nearby stars with astrometric orbits, to fill in the M dwarf region of the diagram. We have used filled squares in Figure 1 for 29 such systems from Henry et al. (1993), updated using 14 new parallaxes from Hipparcos and 4 from the new Yale Parallax Catalog (1995). Gliese 508 is not included, because it is now known to be a triple, while Gliese 67AB, 570BC, and 623AB are not included because there are not yet any direct measurements of the V magnitude difference for these systems.

Selection of M-dwarfs using Gaia, WISE, and 2MASS

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (3) ◽  
pp. 4107-4120
Author(s):  
J Bentley ◽  
C G Tinney ◽  
S Sharma ◽  
D Wright
Keyword(s):  
Absolute Magnitude ◽  
Contamination Rate ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Sky Survey ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Galaxy Model ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
Different Sources ◽  
Sources Of Contamination ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACT We present criteria for the selection of M-dwarfs down to G < 14.5 using all-sky survey data, with a view to identifying potential M-dwarfs, to be confirmed spectroscopically by the FunnelWeb survey. Two sets of criteria were developed. The first, based on absolute magnitude in the Gaia G passband, with MG > 7.7, selects 76,392 stars, with 81.0 per cent expected to be M-dwarfs at a completeness of >97 per cent. The second is based on colour and uses Gaia, WISE, and 2MASS all-sky photometry. This criteria identifies 94,479 candidate M-dwarfs, of which between 29.4 per cent and 47.3 per cent are expected to be true M-dwarfs, and which contains 99.6 per cent of expected M-dwarfs. Both criteria were developed using synthetic galaxy model predictions, and a previously spectroscopically classified set of M- and K-dwarfs, to evaluate both M-dwarf completeness and false-positive detections (i.e. the non-M-dwarf contamination rate). Both criteria used in combination demonstrate how each excludes different sources of contamination. We therefore developed a final set of criteria that combines absolute magnitude and colour selection to identify 74,091 stars. All these sets of criteria select numbers of objects feasible for confirmation via massively multiplexed spectroscopic surveys like FunnelWeb.

scholarly journals Chemical Properties of the Local Galactic Disk and Halo. I. Fundamental Properties of 1544 Nearby, High Proper-motion M Dwarfs and Subdwarfs

2020 ◽  
Vol 159 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Neda Hejazi ◽  
Sébastien Lépine ◽  
Derek Homeier ◽  
R. Michael Rich ◽  
Michael M. Shara
Keyword(s):  
Proper Motion ◽  
Galactic Disk ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Fundamental Properties

Tìm kiếm đĩa tàn dư xung quanh các sao lùn kiểu phổ M-trễ nằm trong vùng lân cận Mặt Trời

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Nguyễn Thành Đạt ◽  
Phan Bảo Ngọc
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Archival Data ◽  
Debris Disks ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Energy Distributions ◽  
Infrared Excess ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
Infrared Survey ◽  
Infrared Data

In this paper, we present our search for debris disks in a sample of nearby late-M dwarfs based on infrared data of the Wide Infrared Survey Explorer. Using archival data, we constructed spectral energy distributions of these targets to detect their infrared excess. We detected infrared excess only in one target. This late-M dwarf is an excellent benchmark for further study of disks around very low-mass objects.

scholarly journals Can we detect aurora in exoplanets orbiting M dwarfs?

2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (1) ◽  
pp. 633-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
A A Vidotto ◽  
N Feeney ◽  
J H Groh
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Radio Emission ◽  
Stellar Wind ◽  
Engineering Calculation ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Radio Detection ◽  
Dwarf Planets ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
Host Stars ◽  
New Instruments

ABSTRACT New instruments and telescopes, such as SPIRou, CARMENES, and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), will increase manyfold the number of known planets orbiting M dwarfs. To guide future radio observations, we estimate radio emission from known M dwarf planets using the empirical radiometric prescription derived in the Solar system, in which radio emission is powered by the wind of the host star. Using solar-like wind models, we find that the most promising exoplanets for radio detections are GJ 674 b and Proxima b, followed by YZ Cet b, GJ 1214 b, GJ 436 b. These are the systems that are the closest to us (&lt;10 pc). However, we also show that our radio fluxes are very sensitive to the unknown properties of winds of M dwarfs. So, which types of winds would generate detectable radio emission? In a ‘reverse engineering’ calculation, we show that winds with mass-loss rates $\dot{M} \gtrsim \kappa _{\rm sw} /u_{\rm sw}^3$ would drive planetary radio emission detectable with present-day instruments, where usw is the local stellar wind velocity and κsw is a constant that depends on the size of the planet, distance, and orbital radius. Using observationally constrained properties of the quiescent winds of GJ 436 and Proxima Cen, we conclude that it is unlikely that GJ 436 b and Proxima b would be detectable with present-day radio instruments, unless the host stars generate episodic coronal mass ejections. GJ 674 b, GJ 876 b, and YZ Cet b could present good prospects for radio detection, provided that their host stars’ winds have $\dot{M} u_{\rm sw}^{3} \gtrsim 1.8\times 10^{-4} \, {\rm M}_\odot \,{\rm yr}^{-1}\, ({\rm km\,s^{-1}})^{3}$.

scholarly journals Long Baseline Interferometry and Binary Stars

1983 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 191-201
Author(s):  
John Davis
Keyword(s):  
Binary Stars ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Fundamental Properties ◽  
Long Baseline ◽  
Stellar Interferometer ◽  
Spectroscopic Binary ◽  
Future Plans ◽  
Intensity Interferometer

AbstractThe observations of α Vir with the Narrabri Stellar Intensity Interferometer demonstrated the potential of long baseline interferometry for the determination of fundamental properties of double-lined spectroscopic binary systems. Since the completion of the programme with the Narrabri instrument the Chatterton Astronomy Department has been conducting a study aimed at developing a stellar interferometer with limiting magnitude V ≳ +8 and maximum baseline ≳ 1 km (resolution at 500 nm ≲ 7 × 10−5 seconds of arc). The way in which a long baseline interferometer may be used in the study of binary stars is outlined, the requirements for this work are discussed, and the current status and future plans of the Chatterton Astronomy Department’s programme to develop a new long baseline interferometer are summarised.

scholarly journals The Near Infrared FeH Lines as Indicators of Surface Gravity of M stars

1996 ◽  
Vol 171 ◽  
pp. 441-441
Author(s):  
Ricardo Piorno Schiavon ◽  
Beatriz Barbuy
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Population Synthesis ◽  
Atmospheric Parameters ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Synthetic Spectra ◽  
Iron Hydride ◽  
M Stars ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
Ongoing Project

We compute synthetic spectra in the region around 1 μm, including the Wing-Ford band (WFB) of Iron Hydride (FeH) in the calculations. This band is known to be a good indicator of surface gravities of M stars. Employing Kurucz model atmospheres, we study the response of the intensity of the WFB to atmospheric parameters and check our results against observations of M dwarfs. This study is part of an ongoing project which aims to investigate the M dwarf-to-giant ratio in galaxies, through a population synthesis method, exploring a number of spectral indicators in the near infrared, such as the WFB, the NaI, CaII and CO near infrared features.

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