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We study the spectral and temporal behavior of X-ray flares from the active M dwarf EV Lac in 200 ks of exposure with the Chandra/HETGS. We derive flare parameters by fitting an empirical function which characterizes the amplitude, shape, and scale. The flares range from very short (<1 ks) to long ([?]104 s) duration events with a range of shapes and amplitudes for all durations. We extract spectra for composite flares to study their mean evolution and to compare flares of different lengths. Evolution of spectral features in the density-temperature plane shows probable sustained heating. The short flares are significantly hotter than the longer flares. We determined an upper limit to the Fe K fluorescent flux, the best-fit value being close to what is expected for compact loops.

th1 Ori E is a young, moderate mass binary system, a rarely observed case of spectral-type G-giants of about 3 solar masses, which are still collapsing toward the main sequence, where they presumably become X-ray faint. We have obtained high-resolution X-ray spectra with Chandra and find that the system is very active and similar to coronal sources, having emission typical of magnetically confined plasma. It has a broad temperature distribution with a hot component and significant high energy continuum; narrow emission lines from H- and He-like ions, as well as a range of Fe ions, and relative luminosity, Lx /L bol = 10-3, at the saturation limit. Density, while poorly constrained, is consistent with the low density limits, our upper limits being ne < 1013 cm-3 for Mg XI and ne < 1012 cm-3 for Ne IX. Coronal elemental abundances are sub-solar, with Ne being the highest at about 0.4 times solar. We find a possible trend in Trapezium hot plasmas toward low relative abundances of Fe, O, and Ne, which is hard to explain in terms of the dust depletion scenarios of low-mass young stars. Variability was unusually low during our observations relative to other coronally active stars. Qualitatively, the emission is similar to post-main-sequence G-stars. Coronal structures could be compact or comparable to the dimensions of the stellar radii. From comparison to X-ray emission from similar mass stars at various evolutionary epochs, we conclude that the X-rays in th1 Ori E are generated by a convective dynamo, present during contraction, but which will vanish during the main-sequence epoch possibly to be resurrected during post-main-sequence evolution.

We present Chandra HETGS observations of the Herbig Ae star HD 104237 and the associated young stars comprising lower mass stars, in the 0.15-1.75 M mass range, in their pre-main-sequence phase. The brightest X-ray source in the association is the central system harboring the Herbig Ae primary and a K3 companion. Its X-ray variability indicates modulation possibly on timescales of the rotation period of the Herbig Ae star, and this would imply that the primary significantly contributes to the overall emission. The spectrum of the Herbig Ae+K3 system shows a soft component significantly more pronounced than in other K-type young stars. This soft emission is reminiscent of the unusually soft spectra observed for the single Herbig Ae stars HD 163296 and AB Aur, and therefore we tentatively attribute it to the Herbig Ae of the binary system. The HETGS spectrum shows strong emission lines corresponding to a wide range of plasma temperatures. The He-like triplet of Mg XI and Ne IX suggests the presence of plasma at densities of about 1012 cm[?]3, possibly indicating an accretion-related X-ray production mechanism. The analysis of the zeroth-order spectra of the other sources indicates X-ray emission characteristics typical of pre-main-sequence stars of similar spectral type, with the exception of the T Tauri HD 104237-D, whose extremely soft emission is very similar to the emission of the classical T Tauri star TW Hya and suggests X-ray production by shocked accreting plasma.

We present high-resolution X-ray spectra of the nearby multiple T Tauri star (TTS) system Hen 3-600, obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrograph (HETGS) aboard the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Both principal binary components of Hen 3-600 (A and B, separation 1.4'') were detected in the zeroth-order Chandra HETGS X-ray image. Hen 3-600-A, the component with a large mid-infrared excess, is a factor of ~2-3 fainter in X-rays than Hen 3-600-B, due to a large flare at Hen 3-600-B during our observation. The dispersed X-ray spectra of the two primary components overlap significantly, so spectral analysis was performed primarily on the first-order spectrum of the combined A + B system, with analysis of the individual dispersed spectra limited to regions where the contributions of A and B can be disentangled via cross-dispersion profile fitting. This analysis results in two lines of evidence indicating that the X-ray emission from Hen 3-600 A + B is derived, in part, from accretion processes. (1) The line ratios of He-like O VII in the spectrum of Hen 3-600 A + B indicate that the characteristic density of its X-ray-emitting plasma is significantly larger than those of coronally active main-sequence and pre-main-sequence stars. (2) A significant component of low-temperature (2-3 MK) plasma is present in the Hen 3-600 A + B spectrum; this "soft excess" appears somewhat stronger in component A. These results for Hen 3-600 A + B are consistent with, although less pronounced than, results obtained from X-ray grating spectroscopy of more rapidly accreting TTS systems. Indeed, all of the emission signatures of Hen 3-600 A + B that are potential diagnostics of accretion activity--from its high-resolution X-ray spectrum, through its UV excess and Ha emission-line strengths, to its weak near-infrared excess--suggest that its components (and component A in particular) represent a transition phase between rapidly accreting, classical T Tauri stars and nonaccreting, weak-lined T Tauri stars.

We have investigated the optical thickness of the coronal plasma through the analysis of high-resolution X-ray spectra of a large sample of active stars observed with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer on Chandra. In particular, we probed for the presence of significant resonant scattering in the strong Lyman series lines arising from hydrogen-like oxygen and neon ions. The active RS CVn-type binaries II Peg and IM Peg and the single M dwarf EV Lac show significant optical depth. For these active coronae, the Lya/Lyb ratios are significantly depleted as compared with theoretical predictions and with the same ratios observed in similar active stars. Interpreting these decrements in terms of resonance scattering of line photons out of the line of sight, we are able to derive an estimate for the typical size of coronal structures, and from these we also derive estimates of coronal filling factors. For all three sources we find that both the photon path length as a fraction of the stellar radius and the implied surface filling factors are very small and amount to a few percent at most. The measured Lya/Lyb ratios are in good agreement with APED theoretical predictions, thus indicating negligible optical depth, for the other sources in our sample. We discuss the implications for coronal structuring and heating flux requirements. For the stellar sample as a whole, the data suggest increasing quenching of Lya relative to Lyb as a function of both LX/Lbol and the density-sensitive Mg XI forbidden-to-intercombination line ratio, as might generally be expected.

We analyze a 96 ks Chandra HETGS observation of the single G-type giant HR 9024. The high flux allows us to examine spectral line and continuum diagnostics at high temporal resolution, to derive plasma parameters. A time-dependent one-dimensional hydrodynamic model of a loop with half-length L = 5 x 1011 cm (~R[?]/2) and cross-sectional radius r = 4.3 x 1010 cm, with a heat pulse of 15 ks and 2 x 1011 ergs cm-2 s-1 deposited at the loop footpoints, satisfactorily reproduces the observed evolution of temperature and emission measure, derived from the analysis of the strong continuum emission. For the first time we can compare predictions from the hydrodynamic model with single spectral features, other than with global spectral properties. We find that the model closely matches the observed line emission, especially for the hot (~108 K) plasma emission of the Fe XXV complex at ~1.85 A. The model loop has L/R[?] ~ 1/2 and aspect ratio r/L ~ 0.1, as typically derived for flares observed in active stellar coronae, suggesting that the underlying physics is the same for these very dynamic and extreme phenomena in stellar coronae independently of stellar parameters and evolutionary stage.

Massive stars rarely show intrinsic X-ray variability. One exception is th2 Ori A, which has shown strong variability over the last 5 years. We observed a large outburst of the X-ray source with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer on board Chandra and compare the emissivity and line properties in states of low and high flux. The low state indicates temperatures well above 25 MK. In the high state we find high emissivities in the range from 3 to over 100 MK. The outburst event in stellar terms is one of the most powerful ever observed and the most energetic one in the ONC, with a lower total energy limit of 1.5 x 1037 ergs. The line diagnostics indicate that the line-emitting regions in the low states are as close as within 1-2 stellar radii from the O star's photosphere, whereas the hard states suggest a distance of 3-5 stellar radii. We discuss the results in the context of stellar flares, magnetic confinement, and binary interactions. By matching the dates of all observations with the orbital phases of the spectroscopy binary orbit, we find that outbursts occur very close to the periastron passage of the stars. We argue that the high X-ray states are possibly the result of reconnection events from magnetic interactions of the primary and secondary stars of the spectroscopic binary. Effects from wind collisions seem unlikely for this system. The line properties in the low state seem consistent with some form of magnetic confinement. We also detect Fe fluorescence indicative of the existence of substantial amounts of neutral Fe in the vicinity of the X-ray emission.

Short-period binaries represent extreme cases in the generation of stellar coronae via a rotational dynamo. Such stars are important for probing the origin and nature of coronae in the regimes of rapid rotation and activity saturation. VW Cep (P = 0.28 days) is a relatively bright, partially eclipsing, very active object. Light curves made from Chandra HETGS data show flaring and rotational modulation but no eclipses. Velocity modulation of emission lines indicates that one component dominates the X-ray emission. The emission measure is highly structured, having three peaks. Helium-like triplet lines give electron densities of about (3-18) x 1010 cm-3. We conclude that the corona is predominantly on the polar regions of the primary star and is compact.

Details of the design, fabrication, and ground and flight calibration of the High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) on the Chandra X-Ray Observatoryare presented after 5 years of flight experience. Specifics include the theory of phased transmission gratings as applied to the HETG, the Rowland design of the spectrometer, details of the grating fabrication techniques, and the results of ground testing and calibration of the HETG. For nearly 6 years the HETG has operated essentially as designed, although it has presented some subtle flight calibration effects.

Details of the design, fabrication, and ground and flight calibration of the High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory are presented after 5 years of flight experience. Specifics include the theory of phased transmission gratings as applied to the HETG, the Rowland design of the spectrometer, details of the grating fabrication techniques, and the results of ground testing and calibration of the HETG. For nearly 6 years the HETG has operated essentially as designed, although it has presented some subtle flight calibration effects.

High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy with the diffraction gratings of Chandra and XMM-Newton offers new chances to study a large variety of stellar coronal phenomena. A popular X-ray calibration target is Capella, which has been observed with all gratings with significant exposure times. We gathered together all available data of the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS; 155 ks), Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS; 219 ks), and Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS; 53 ks) for comparative analysis, focusing on the Ne IX triplet at around 13.5 A, a region that is severely blended by strong iron lines. We identify 18 emission lines in this region of the High-Energy Grating (HEG) spectrum, including many from Fe XIX, and find good agreement with predictions from a theoretical model constructed using the Astrophysical Plasma Emission Code. The model uses an emission measure distribution derived from Fe XV to Fe XXIV lines. The success of the model is due in part to the inclusion of accurate wavelengths from laboratory measurements. While these 18 emission lines cannot be isolated in the LETGS or RGS spectra, their wavelengths and fluxes as measured with HEG are consistent with the lower resolution spectra. In the Capella model for HEG, the weak intercombination line of Ne IX is significantly blended by iron lines, which contribute about half the flux. After accounting for blending in the He-like diagnostic lines, we find the density to be consistent with the low-density limit (ne < 2 x 1010 cm-3); however, the electron temperature indicated by the Ne IX G-ratio is surprisingly low (~2 MK) compared to the peak of the emission measure distribution (~6 MK). Models show that the Ne IX triplet is less blended in cooler plasmas and in plasmas with an enhanced neon-to-iron abundance ratio.

We observed the coronally active eclipsing binary AR Lac with the High Energy Transmission Grating on Chandra for a total of 97 ks, spaced over five orbits, at quadratures and conjunctions. Contemporaneous and simultaneous EUV spectra and photometry were also obtained with the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer. Significant variability in both X-ray and EUV fluxes were observed, dominated by at least one X-ray flare and one EUV flare. We saw no evidence of primary or secondary eclipses, but exposures at these phases were short and intrinsic variability compromised detection of any geometric modulation. X-ray flux modulation was largest at high temperature, indicative of flare heating of coronal plasma rather than changes in emitting volume or global emission measure. Analysis of spectral line widths interpreted in terms of Doppler broadening suggests that both binary stellar components are active. On the basis of line fluxes obtained from total integrated spectra, we have modeled the emission measure and abundance distributions. The EUV spectral line fluxes were particularly useful for constraining the parameters of the "cool" ([?]2 x 106 K) plasma. A strong maximum was found in the differential emission measure, characterized by two apparent peaks at log T = 6.9 and 7.4, together with a weak but significant cooler maximum near log T = 6.2 and a moderately strong hot tail from log T = 7.6-8.2. Coronal abundances have a broad distribution and show no simple correlation with first ionization potential. While the resulting model spectrum generally agrees very well with the observed spectrum, there are some significant discrepancies, especially among the many Fe L lines. Both the emission measure and abundance distributions are qualitatively similar to prior determinations from other X-ray and ultraviolet spectra, indicating some long-term stability in the overall coronal structure.

We present high-resolution X-ray spectra of the X-ray-bright classical T Tauri star, TW Hydrae, covering the wavelength range of 1.5-25 A. The differential emission measure derived from fluxes of temperature-sensitive emission lines shows a plasma with a sharply peaked temperature distribution, peaking at log T = 6.5. Abundance anomalies are apparent, with iron very deficient relative to oxygen, while neon is enhanced relative to oxygen. Density-sensitive line ratios of Ne IX and O VII indicate densities near log ne = 13. A flare with rapid (~1 ks) rise time was detected during our 48 ks observation; however, based on analysis of the emission-line spectrum during quiescent and flaring states, the derived plasma parameters do not seem strongly time-dependent. The inferred plasma temperature distribution and densities are consistent with a model in which the bulk of the X-ray emission from TW Hya is generated via mass accretion from its circumstellar disk. Assuming that accretion powers the X-ray emission, our results for log ne suggest an accretion rate of ~10-8 M yr-1.

We have obtained high-resolution X-ray spectra of the coronally active binary II Pegasi (HD 224085), covering the wavelength range of 1.5-25 A. For the first half of our 44 ks observation, the source was in a quiescent state with constant X-ray flux, after which it flared, reaching twice the quiescent flux in 12 ks, then decreased. We analyze the emission-line spectrum and continuum during quiescent and flaring states. The differential emission measure derived from lines fluxes shows a hot corona with a continuous distribution in temperature. During the nonflare state, the distribution peaks near log T = 7.2, and when flaring, it peaks near 7.6. High-temperature lines are enhanced slightly during the flare, but most of the change occurs in the continuum. Coronal abundance anomalies are apparent, with iron very deficient relative to oxygen and significantly weaker than expected from photospheric measurements, while neon is enhanced relative to oxygen. We find no evidence of appreciable resonant scattering optical depth in line ratios of iron and oxygen. The flare light curve is consistent with solar two-ribbon flare models but with a very long reconnection time constant of about 65 ks. We infer loop lengths of about 0.05 to about 0.25 stellar radii in the flare, if the flare emission originated from a single, low-density loop.

In mid-September of 1999, a multiwavelength campaign was carried out on the coronally active RS Canum Venaticorum binary HR 1099 (K1 IV + G5 V; P= 2.84 days), during commissioning of the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) of the Chandra X-ray Observatory(CXO). The coordinated program involved the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer(EUVE), the Hubble Space TelescopeImaging Spectrograph (STIS), and the Very Large Array (VLA). The objective was to study the system in quiescence, across as much of the electromagnetic spectrum as practical, and to catch any flares that might occur.

In mid-September of 1999, a multiwavelength campaign was carried out on the coronally active RS Canum Venaticorum binary HR 1099 (K1 IV + G5 V; P = 2.84 days), during commissioning of the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) of the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO). The coordinated program involved the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), and the Very Large Array (VLA). The objective was to study the system in quiescence, across as much of the electromagnetic spectrum as practical, and to catch any flares that might occur. The EUVE 80-180 A light curve of HR 1099, covering the period September 13-22, showed only a single impulsive outburst, which occurred at the very end of the 9 day pointing. The 3-25 A bremsstrahlung continuum displayed an overall decay during the 1.5 day Chandra observation on September 14-16, with a few superimposed mild enhancements. The VLA 3.5 cm and 20 cm radio light curves, obtained during a 10 hr period on September 15 immediately before the HST pointing, similarly revealed normal quiescent gyrosynchrotron emission and an absence of impulsive events. In contrast, the 7 hr STIS time series later on September 15 contained two distinct flares. The first was accompanied by intensification of the preexisting broad wings of the medium excitation species (e.g., Si IV l1393 and C IV l1548), while the second involved primarily the narrow cores of the lines, and even cooler temperatures. The Fe XXI l1354 forbidden line showed little response to either flare, consistent with the contemporaneous soft X-ray and EUV light curves. The lack of coronal counterparts to the ultraviolet flares is unusual and suggests that they belong to a separate class of outbursts, sharing some similarities with the "transition zone explosive events" seen on the Sun. The density sensitive O IV l1400 multiplet was not affected by either flare. The density sensitive Si III l1300 multiplet showed little response to the first flare, but a dramatic brightening in the second, likely due to the lower peak temperature of that event. The O IV line ratios were near their low-density limits and suggest ne ~ 1010 cm-3 for the duration of the HST observations. The Si III ratios during the second flare rise indicate ne ~ 7 x 1010 cm-3. The far-UV diagnostics jointly imply electron pressures of neT ~ 2 x 1015 K cm-3, if formed close to their respective ionization equilibrium temperatures. The helium-like triplets of O VII, Ne IX, and Mg XI in the HETGS spectra have forbidden-to-intercombination line ratios consistent with average coronal electron densities of [?]1011 cm-3 at T ~ 0.3-1 x 107 K over the duration of the Chandra pointing. Fe XXI l102/l128 and l142/l128 ratios from EUVE suggest ne [?] 1012-1013 cm-3, near 107 K. Thus, the coronal electron pressures could be as much as several orders of magnitude larger than those of the lower atmosphere. We constructed time-resolved spectra from the HETGS event lists and measured the centroids of the three brightest X-ray lines of HR 1099 in 60 minute bins. In high-S/N Ne X l12.1, we believe that we can see the changing radial velocity of the K1 IV star over the half an orbital cycle recorded by Chandra. The amplitude of the velocity change is only ~100 km s-1 over the 1.5 day interval, a small fraction of the 300-500 km s-1 resolution of the HETGS at 12 A. Ne X l12.1 also displayed a transient blueshift of ~60 km s-1 immediately prior to the first STIS flare, during which the far-UV lines briefly exhibited blueshifts of similar magnitude. The apparent displacement of Ne X appears independently in the -1 and +1 orders of the medium energy band (MEG), but there was no confirmation in the redundant high energy band (HEG), nor in other X-ray lines. Fe XXI l1354 showed a blueshift about 30 minutes later at the beginning of the second HST orbit, but only at the 20 km s-1 level. Analogous HETGS time series of the brightest lines of comparison star Capella (a Aurigae; G8 III + G1 III) exhibited steady behavior, consistent with measurement uncertainties, without the transient Doppler "bursts" seen in HR 1099. Although the reality of the Ne X Lya blueshift is in doubt, there is no question that the Chandra HETGS velocity scales are stable and free from large systematic errors.

We present ASCA and ROSAT X-ray observations of the classical T Tauri star TW Hya, the namesake of a small association that, at a distance of ~50 pc, represents the nearest known region of recent star formation. Analysis of ASCA and ROSAT spectra indicates characteristic temperatures of ~1.7 and ~9.7 MK for the X-ray-emitting region(s) of TW Hya, with emission lines of highly ionized Fe dominating the spectrum at energies of ~1 keV. The X-ray data show variations in X-ray flux on timescales of [?]1 hr as well as indications of changes in the X-ray-absorbing column on timescales of several years, suggesting that flares and variable obscuration are responsible for the large-amplitude optical variability of TW Hya on short and long timescales, respectively. Comparison with model calculations suggests that TW Hya produces sufficient hard X-ray flux to produce significant ionization of molecular gas within its circumstellar disk; such X-ray ionization may regulate both protoplanetary accretion and protoplanetary chemistry.

Observations of the RS CVn system HR 1099 made during the 1988 season are discussed. A dramatic reduction in extraphotospheric emission occurred on the primary during the observing period; this reduction is ascribed to the disappearance of a prominence on the K star. In addition, the system shows evidence for the process of mass transfer similar to those seen in the RS CVn system UX Ari.

Continued monitoring of optical spectra of RT Lac, a peculiar RS CVn system, showed a large range of activity in the H-alpha line. At times, there was no excess emission or absorption, and at others, much. During active times, the excess emission varied greatly with phase and seemed to come from an extended region. Two UV observations, taken contemporaneously with optical spectra, also showed strong variations in the emission-line strengths. The data are consistent with intermittent mass transfer and imply that RT Lac is similar to other objects which have transient disks.

Echelle spectrograph data present several challenges in data reduction. In this paper we address the general problem of accurately extracting spectra from a night's worth of raw CCD fiber-fed echelle data frames. We first briefly review echelle spectroscopy: properties of the basic echelle spectrograph, how the orders are arranged on the CCD, and what demands and constraints this data format places on reduction algorithms. We then discuss solutions to the various problems for fiber-fed data, with particular emphasison the removal of the scattered light background. Finally, we discuss our implementation of these solutions. We have written a package using the Interactive Data Language (IDL) that uses the methods described in this paper to give accurate extractions of spectra from fiber-fed echelle frames with any number of spectral orders of arbitrary tilt and curvature. We describe how interested persons may obtain the package through anonymous FTP.