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Context. Solar flares strongly affect the Sun's atmosphere as well as the Earth's environment. Quantifying the maximum possible energy of solar flares of the present-day Sun, if any, is thus a key question in heliophysics. Aims. The largest solar flares observed over the past few decades have reached energies of a few times 1032 erg, possibly up to 1033 erg. Flares in active Sun-like stars reach up to about 1036 erg. In the absence of direct observations of solar flares within this range, complementary methods of investigation are needed to assess the probability of solar flares beyond those in the observational record. Methods. Using historical reports for sunspot and solar active region properties in the photosphere, we scaled to observed solar values a realistic dimensionless 3D MHD simulation for eruptive flares, which originate from a highly sheared bipole. This enabled us to calculate the magnetic fluxes and flare energies in the model in a wide paramater space. Results. Firstly, commonly observed solar conditions lead to modeled magnetic fluxes and flare energies that are comparable to those estimated from observations. Secondly, we evaluate from observations that 30% of the area of sunspot groups are typically involved in flares. This is related to the strong fragmentation of these groups, which naturally results from sub-photospheric convection. When the model is scaled to 30% of the area of the largest sunspot group ever reported, with its peak magnetic field being set to the strongest value ever measured in a sunspot, it produces a flare with a maximum energy of ∼6 ×1033 erg. Conclusions. The results of the model suggest that the Sun is able to produce flares up to about six times as energetic in total solar irradiance fluence as the strongest directly observed flare of Nov. 4, 2003. Sunspot groups larger than historically reported would yield superflares for spot pairs that would exceed tens of degrees in extent. We thus conjecture that superflare-productive Sun-like stars should have a much stronger dynamo than in the Sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the many different classes of stellar objects, neutron stars provide a unique environment where we can test (at the same time) our understanding of matter with extreme density, temperature, and magnetic field. In particular, the properties of matter under the influence of magnetic fields and the role of electromagnetism in physical processes are key areas of research in physics. However, despite decades of research, our limited knowledge on the physics of strong magnetic fields is clear: we only need to note that the strongest steady magnetic field achieved in terrestrial labs is some millions of Gauss, only thousands of times stronger than a common refrigerator magnet. In this general context, I will review here the state of the art of our research on the most magnetic objects in the Universe, a small sample of neutron stars called magnetars. The study of the large high-energy emission, and the flares from these strongly magnetized (~ 1015 Gauss) neutron stars is providing crucial information about the physics involved at these extremes conditions, and favoring us with many unexpected surprises. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper we present the results of the analysis of the B -light curve for the flares of the red dwarf YZ CMin (dM4.5e), which were observed on February of 2002, with the help of the 30-inch Cassegrain telescope of the Stephanion Observatory, Greece. Discrete Fourier Transform analysis and the use of the Brownian Walk noise enable us to estimate the proper random noise and detect possible weak transient optical oscillations. Our results indicate that: (1) Transient high frequency oscillations occur during the flare event and during the quiet-star phase as well. (2) The observed frequencies range between 0.0083 Hz (period 2 min) and 0.3 Hz (period 3 s) is not rigorously bounded. The phenomenon is most pronounced during the flare state. (3) During the flare state: (a) Oscillations with period 2 to 1.5 min, 60 s, 11 s, 7.5 s, and 4 s appear around the maximum light state and persist during the whole flare state, (b) from the flare maximum phase on, a progressive increase of oscillations with periods 30 s, 20 s down to 4.0 s is markedly indicated, and (c) at the end of the flare only the oscillation of the pre-flare state do remain. Our observations are consistent with the phenomenology of impulsively exited oscillations on a coronal magnetic loop and subsequent chromospheric heating by electronic flux at the foot of the loop or/and by soft X-ray coronal emission. Our observation give evidence that more than one impulsive events may occur in the course of an observed flare (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Optical flares on early F- and A-type stars have never been observed with certainty. Inspection of several thousands of these stars in the Kepler public archives resulted in the discovery of flares in 25 G-type and 27 F-type stars. Because A-type stars are thought not to be active, the detection of flares on 19 A-type stars from a sample of nearly 2000 A stars is particularly noteworthy. The flares have relative intensities in the range 1-100 parts per thousand and typical durations of a few minutes to several hours. The mean interval between flares varies between 1 and 120 days. We estimate the typical energy of flares to be around 1035 erg in the F-type stars and about 1036 erg in the A-type stars. Nearly all these stars vary at a low level with a period which is most likely the rotational period of the star. Comparison of the relative flare intensities with those in cool red stars observed by Kepler shows that flares in these stars, and certainly in the A-type stars, cannot easily be ascribed to cool flare-star companions. The huge energy released in the flares is difficult to understand. This is especially the case for A-type stars since these stars are thought to have very weak magnetic fields. The flare energy may possibly originate in magnetic reconnection of field lines between the primary star and a companion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this paper, we report on the discovery of an optical flare observed in the R band from the red-dwarf eclipsing binary CU Cancri, whose component stars are at the upper boundary of full convection ( M1= 0.43 M⊙ and M2= 0.4 M⊙, where M⊙ is the solar mass). The amplitude of the flare is the largest among those detected in the R band (∼0.52 mag) and the duration time is about 73 min. Like flares observed on the Sun, quasi-periodic oscillations were seen during and after the flare. Three more R-band flares were found by follow-up monitoring. In total, this binary was monitored photometrically by using an R filter for 79.9 h, which has revealed an R-band flare rate of about 0.05 flares per hour. Together with other strong chromospheric and coronal activities (i.e. very strong Hα and Hβ emission features and an extreme ultraviolet and X-ray source), these detections indicate that it has very strong magnetic activity. Therefore, the apparent faintness (∼1.4 mag in the V band) of CU Cnc, compared with other single red dwarfs of the same mass, can be plausibly explained by the high coverage of dark spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric escape has been detected from the exoplanet HD209458b through transit observations of the hydrogen Lyman-α line. Here we present spectrally resolved Lyman-α transit observations of the exoplanet HD189733b at two different epochs. These HST/STIS observations show for the first time that there are significant temporal variations in the physical conditions of an evaporating planetary atmosphere. While atmospheric hydrogen is not detected in the first epoch observations, it is observed at the second epoch, producing a transit absorption depth of 14.4 ± 3.6% between velocities of -230 to -140 km s-1. Contrary to HD209458b, these high velocities cannot arise from radiation pressure alone and require an additional acceleration mechanism, such as interactions with stellar wind protons. The observed absorption can be explained by an atmospheric escape rate of neutral hydrogen atoms of about 109 g s-1, a stellar wind with a velocity of 190 kms-1 and a temperature of ∼105 K. An X-ray flare from the active star seen with Swift/XRT 8 h before the second-epoch observation supports the idea that the observed changes within the upper atmosphere of the planet can be caused by variations in the stellar wind properties, or by variations in the stellar energy input to the planetary escaping gas (or a mix of the two effects). These observations provide the first indication of interaction between the exoplanet's atmosphere and stellar variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The eclipsing M dwarf binary system, YY Gem, was observed using Chandra covering 140 ks (2 Prot) in total, split into two even exposures separated by 0.76 d (0.94 Prot). The system was extremely active: three energetic flares were observed over the course of these observations. The flaring and non-flaring states of the system are analysed in this paper. The activity level increased between the first and second observations even during the quiescent (non-flaring) phases. An analysis of the dynamics of the X-ray-emitting plasma suggests that both components are significantly active. Contemporaneous Hα spectra also suggest that both components show similar levels of activity. The primary star is the likely source of at least two of the flares. From a detailed analysis of the flare emission at the maximum temperature and maximum density with single loop flare models, we find loop lengths of ∼0.7 R*, 1.5 R* and 1.8 R*. All of these flares are strongly associated with hot (>10 MK) X-ray emission which appears to predominantly trace the orbital motion of the primary star. The two largest flaring loops are similar to the largest sizes reported in other active M stars and span nearly half the interbinary system; this may indicate magnetospheric interaction between the binary star coronae. We discuss the time and spectral resolution requirements that are necessary to recover detailed information about coronal structure from the X-ray spectra in similar cool star systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we present the unpublished flare data collected from 222 flares detected in the B band observations of five stars and the results derived by statistical analysis and modeling of these data. Six basic properties have been found with a statistical analysis method applied to all models and analyses for the flares detected in the B band observation of UV Ceti type stars. We have also compared the U and B bands with the analysis results. This comparison allowed us to evaluate the methods used in the analyses. The analyses provided the following results. (1) The flares were separated into two types, fast and slow flares. (2) The mean values of the equivalent durations of the slow and the fast flares differ by a factor of 16.2±3.7. (3) Regardless of the total flare duration, the maximum flare energy can reach a different Plateau level for each star. (4) The Plateau values of EV Lac and EQ Peg are higher than the others. (5) The minimum values of the total flare duration increase toward the later spectral types. This value is called the Half-Life value in models. (6) Both the maximum flare rise times and the total flare duration obtained from the observed flares decrease toward the later spectral types. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context. The outer Galaxy, where the environmental conditions are different from the solar neighborhood, is a laboratory in which it is possible to investigate the dependence of star formation process on the environmental parameters. Aims. We investigate the X-ray properties of NGC1893, a young cluster (∼1-2 Myr) in the outer part of the Galaxy (galactic radius ⩾11 kpc) where we expect differences in the disk evolution and in the mass distribution of the stars, to explore the X-ray emission of its members and compare it with that of young stars in star-forming regions near to the Sun. Methods. We analyze 5 deep Chandra ACIS-I observations with a total exposure time of 450 ks. Source events of the 1021 X-ray sources have been extracted with the IDL-based routine ACIS-Extract. Using spectral fitting and quantile analysis of X-ray spectra, we derive X-ray luminosities and compare the respective properties of Class II and Class III members.We also evaluate the variability of sources using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and identify flares in the lightcurves. Results. The X-ray luminosity of NGC1893 X-ray members is in the range 1029.5-1031.5 erg s-1. Diskless stars are brighter in X-rays than disk-bearing stars, given the same bolometric luminosity. We found that 34% of the 1021 lightcurves appear variable and that they show 0.16 flare per source, on average. Comparing our results with those relative to the Orion Nebula Cluster, we find that, by accounting for observational biases, the X-ray properties of NGC1893 and the Orion ones are very similar. Conclusions. The X-ray properties in NGC1893 are not affected by the environment and the stellar population in the outer Galaxy may have the same coronal properties of nearby star-forming regions. The X-ray luminosity properties and the X-ray luminosity function appear to be universal and can therefore be used for estimating distances and for determining stellar properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its launch in October 2002, the INTEGRAL satellite has revolutionized our knowledge of the hard X-ray sky thanks to its unprecedented imaging capabilities and source detection positional accuracy above 20 keV. Nevertheless, many of the newly-detected sources in the INTEGRAL sky surveys are of unknown nature. The combined use of available information at longer wavelengths (mainly soft X-rays and radio) and of optical spectroscopy on the putative counterparts of these new hard X-ray objects allows us to pinpoint their exact nature. Continuing our long-standing program that has been running since 2004, and using 6 different telescopes of various sizes together with data from an online spectroscopic survey, here we report the classification through optical spectroscopy of 22 more unidentified or poorly studied high-energy sources detected with the IBIS instrument onboard INTEGRAL. We found that 16 of them are active galactic nuclei (AGNs), while the remaining 6 objects are within our Galaxy. Among the identified extragalactic sources, the large majority (14) is made up of type 1 AGNs (i.e. with broad emission lines); of these, 6 lie at redshift larger than 0.5 and one (IGR J12319-0749) has z = 3.12, which makes it the second farthest object detected in the INTEGRAL surveys up to now. The remaining AGNs are of type 2 (that is, with narrow emission lines only), and one of the two cases is confirmed as a pair of interacting Seyfert 2 galaxies. The Galactic objects are identified as two cataclysmic variables, one high-mass X-ray binary, one symbiotic binary and two chromospherically active stars, possibly of RS CVn type. The main physical parameters of these hard X-ray sources were also determined using the multiwavelength information available in the literature. We thus still find that AGNs are the most abundant population among hard X-ray objects identified through optical spectroscopy. Moreover, we note that the higher sensitivity of the more recent INTEGRAL surveys is now enabling the detection of high-redshift AGNs, thus allowing the exploration of the most distant hard X-ray emitting sources and possibly of the most extreme blazars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a campaign to monitor active M dwarfs using infrared spectroscopy, supplemented with optical photometry and spectroscopy. We detected 16 flares during nearly 50 hr of observations on EV Lac, AD Leo YZ CMi, and VB 8. The three most energetic flares also showed infrared emission, including the first reported detections of Pβ, Pγ, He I λ10830, and Brγ during an M dwarf flare. The strongest flare (Δu = 4.02 on EV Lac) showed emission from Hγ, Hδ, He I λ4471, and Ca II K in the UV/blue and Pβ, Pβ, Pδ, Brγ, and He I λ10830 in the infrared. The weaker flares (Δu = 1.68 on EV Lac and ΔU = 1.38 on YZ CMi) were only observed with photometry and infrared spectroscopy; both showed emission from Pβ, Pγ, and He I λ10830. The strongest infrared emission line, Pβ, occurred in the active mid-M dwarfs with a duty cycle of ~3%-4%. To examine the most energetic flare, we used the static NLTE radiative transfer code RH to produce model spectra based on a suite of one-dimensional model atmospheres. Using a hotter chromosphere than previous one-dimensional atmospheric models, we obtain line ratios that match most of the observed emission lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 50 ks Chandra/ACIS-I X-ray observation of the Bower et al. Very Large Array archival field. The observations reach a limiting sensitivity of ∼10-4 counts s-1, corresponding to a flux of a few times 10-15 erg s-1 cm-2 for the models we explore. The Chandra observations were undertaken to search for X-ray counterparts to the eight transient sources without optical counterparts, and the two transient sources with optical counterparts seen by Bower et al. Neither of the sources with optical counterparts was detected in X-rays. One of the eight optical non-detections is associated with a marginal (2.4σ) X-ray detection in our Chandra image. A second optically undetected Bower et al. transient may be associated with a ɀ = 1.29 X-ray-detected quasar or its host galaxy, or alternatively is undetected in X-rays and is a chance association with the nearby X-ray source. The X-ray flux upper limits, and the one marginal detection, are consistent with the interpretation of Ofek et al. that the optically undetected radio transients are flares from isolated old Galactic neutron stars. The marginal X-ray detection has a hardness ratio that implies a temperature too high for a simple one-temperature neutron star model, but plausible multi-component fits are not excluded, and in any case the marginal X-ray detection may be due to cosmic rays or particle background. The X-ray flux upper limits are also consistent with flare star progenitors at ≳ 1 kpc (which would require the radio luminosity of the transient to be unusually high for such an object) or less extreme flares from brown dwarfs at distances of around 100 pc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, dwarf M stars are being considered as potential hosts for habitable planets. However, an important fraction of these stars are flare stars, which among other kind of radiation, emit large amounts of UV radiation during flares, and it is unknown how this events can affect life, since biological systems are particularly vulnerable to UV. In this work we evaluate a well known dMe star, EV Lacertae (GJ 873) as a potential host for the emergence and evolution of life, focusing on the effects of the UV emission associated with flare activity. Since UV-C is particularly harmful for living organisms, we studied the effect of UV-C radiation on halophile archaea cultures. The halophile archaea or haloarchaea are extremophile microorganisms, which inhabit in hypersaline environments and which show several mechanisms to cope with UV radiation since they are naturally exposed to intense solar UV radiation on Earth. To select the irradiance to be tested, we considered a moderate flare on this star. We obtained the mean value for the UV-C irradiance integrating the IUE spectrum in the impulsive phase, and considering a hypothetical planet in the center of the liquid water habitability zone. To select the irradiation times we took the most frequent duration of flares on this star which is from 9 to 27 minutes. Our results show that even after considerable UV damage, the haloarchaeal cells survive at the tested doses, showing that this kind of life could survive in a relatively hostile UV environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

T Tauri stars are young, low-mass, pre-main-sequence stars surrounded by an accretion disk. These objects present strong magnetic activity and powerful magnetic reconnection events. Strong shocks are likely associated with fast reconnection in the stellar magnetosphere. Such shocks can accelerate particles up to relativistic energies. We aim at developing a simple model to calculate the radiation produced by non-thermal relativistic particles in the environment of T Tauri stars. We want to establish whether this emission is detectable at high energies with the available or forthcoming γ-ray telescopes. We assume that particles (protons and electrons) pre-accelerated in reconnection events are accelerated at shocks through the Fermi mechanism and we study the high-energy emission produced by the dominant radiative processes. We calculate the spectral energy distribution of T Tauri stars up to high energies and we compare the integrated flux obtained with that from a specific Fermi source, 1FGL J1625.8--2429c, that we tentatively associate with this kind of young stellar object. We suggest that under reasonable general conditions nearby T Tauri stars might be detected at high energies and be responsible for some unidentified Fermi sources on the Galactic plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern X-ray observatories yield unique insight into the astrophysical time domain. Each X-ray photon can be assigned an arrival time, an energy and a sky position, yielding sensitive, energy-dependent light curves and enabling time-resolved spectra down to millisecond time-scales. Combining those with multiple views of the same patch of sky (e.g., in the Chandra and XMM-Newton deep fields) so as to extend variability studies over longer baselines, the spectral timing capacity of X-ray observatories then stretch over 10 orders of magnitude at spatial resolutions of arcseconds, and 13 orders of magnitude at spatial resolutions of a degree. A wealth of high-energy time-domain data already exists, and indicates variability on timescales ranging from microseconds to years in a wide variety of objects, including numerous classes of AGN, high-energy phenomena at the Galactic centre, Galactic and extra-Galactic X-ray binaries, supernovæ, gamma-ray bursts, stellar flares, tidal disruption flares, and as-yet unknown X-ray variables. This workshop explored the potential of strategic X-ray surveys to probe a broad range of astrophysical sources and phenomena. Here we present the highlights, with an emphasis on the science topics and mission designs that will drive future discovery in the X-ray time domain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We explore the biological damage initiated in the environments of F, G, K, and M-type main-sequence stars due to photospheric, chromospheric and flare radiation. The amount of chromospheric radiation is, in a statistical sense, directly coupled to the stellar age as well as the presence of significant stellar magnetic fields and dynamo activity. With respect to photospheric radiation, we also consider detailed synthetic models, taking into account millions or hundred of millions of lines for atoms and molecules. Chromospheric UV radiation is increased in young stars in regard to all stellar spectral types. Flare activity is most pronounced in K and M-type stars, which also has the potential of stripping the planetary atmospheres of close-in planets, including planets located in the stellar habitable zone. For our studies, we take DNA as a proxy for carbon-based macromolecules, guided by the paradigm that carbon might constitute the biochemical centerpiece of extraterrestrial life forms. Planetary atmospheric attenuation is considered in an approximate manner. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Magnetic activity on cool stars expresses itself in a bewildering variety of radiative and particle output originating from magnetic regions between the photosphere and the corona. Given its origin in evolving magnetic fields, most of this output is variable in time. Radiation in the ultraviolet, the extreme ultraviolet, and the X-ray ranges are important for heating and ionizing upper planetary atmospheres and thus driving atmospheric evaporation. Additionally, stellar winds interact with the upper atmospheres and may lead to further erosion. The stellar high-energy output is therefore a prime factor in determining habitability of planets. We summarize our knowledge of magnetic activity in young solar analogs and lower-mass stars and show how the stellar output changes on evolutionary timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Here we report the serendipitous identification of a bright optical transient in the vicinity of the dwarf elliptical galaxy M 32 (NGC 221). This transient (MONS OT J004240.69+405142.0) was detected using filtered CCD imaging, about 20arcsec southwest from the core of M 32, at equatorial coordinates α =00:42:40.69±0.05, δ =+40:51:42.0±0.5, between 04:20:16 and 04:21:46 UT on June 22, 2007. A detailed analysis of the intensity profile of the feature suggests that it is of stellar nature with apparent visual magnitude 9.69±0.15 which gives an absolute magnitude of −14.7±0.3 if the feature is located in M 31/M 32. Under the assumption of the event reported here being of cosmic origin and although no correlation with GRBs in time or space has been found, the behaviour of the optical transient appears to resemble that of the recently observed GRB 080319B: very fast ascent and decay of several magnitudes within a few minutes. If this interpretation is correct, the afterglow decay was extremely rapid, decreasing by more than 5mag. in about 2min, α =2.4. Given its properties, the event is a possible orphan GRB optical afterglow candidate originated beyond the Local Group. Alternative explanations are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The correlation observed between the Li abundance and surface activity of young cool stars is not explained by current stellar evolution models. We study the possibility that this correlation arises from significant in situ production of Li by solar-like flares. Using the X-ray luminosity of the stars as an indicator of their surface activity, we show from a comparison of the Pleiades and Hyades clusters that Li production by flares cannot account for all the dispersion in Li abundance observed in young open clusters. Stellar flare nucleosynthesis might explain, however, unexpected detections of Li in several M-type dwarfs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High-resolution echelle spectroscopic observations taken with the FEROS spectrograph at the ESO 2.2-m telescope confirm the binary nature of the dMe stars EUVE J0825−16.3 and EUVE J1501−43.6, previously reported by Christian & Mathioudakis (2002). In these binary systems, emission of similar intensity from both components is detected in the Na i D1 & D2, He i D3, Ca II H&K, Ca II IRT and Balmer lines. We have determined precise radial velocities by cross-correlation with radial velocity standard stars, which have allowed us to obtain for the first time the orbital solution of these systems. Both binaries consist of two nearly equal M0V components with an orbital period shorter than 3.5 days. We have analyzed the behaviour of the chromospheric activity indicators (variability and possible flares). In addition, we have determined its rotational velocity and kinematics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We present temporal and spectral characteristics of X-ray flares observed from six late-type G–K active dwarfs (V368 Cep, XI Boo, IM Vir, V471 Tau, CC Eri and EP Eri) using data from observations with the XMM–Newton observatory. All the stars were found to be flaring frequently and altogether a total of 17 flares were detected above the ‘quiescent’ state X-ray emission which varied from 0.5 to . The largest flare was observed in a low-activity dwarf XI Boo with a decay time of 10 ks and ratio of peak flare luminosity to ‘quiescent’ state luminosity of 2. We have studied the spectral changes during the flares by using colour–colour diagram and by detailed spectral analysis during the temporal evolution of the flares. The exponential decay of the X-ray light curves, and time evolution of the plasma temperature and emission measure are similar to those observed in compact solar flares. We have derived the semiloop lengths of flares based on the hydrodynamic flare model. The size of the flaring loops is found to be less than the stellar radius. The hydrodynamic flare decay analysis indicates the presence of sustained heating during the decay of most flares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binary YY Gem shows many interesting properties, one of which is the periodicity in its flaring rate. The period, which is about 48 ± 3 min, was ever interpreted in terms of the oscillation of a filament. In this paper, we propose a new model to explain this phenomenon by means of 2.5D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations. It is found that magnetic reconnection is induced as the coronal loops rooted on both stars inflate and approach each other, which is driven by the differential stellar rotation. The magnetic reconnection is modulated by fast-mode magnetoacoustic waves which are trapped between the surfaces of the two stars, so that the reconnection rate presents a periodic behaviour. With the typical parameters for the binary system, the observed period can be reproduced. We also derive an empirical formula to relate the period of the flaring rate to the coronal temperature and density, as well as the magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the absence of an active dynamo, purely poloidal magnetic field configurations are unstable to large-scale dynamical perturbations, and decay via reconnection on an Alfvénic time-scale. Nevertheless, a number of classes of dynamo-free stars do exhibit significant, long-lived, surface magnetic fields. Numerical simulations suggest that the large-scale poloidal field in these systems is stabilized by a toroidal component of the field in the stellar interior. Using the principle of conservation of total helicity, we develop a variational principle for computing the structure of the magnetic field inside a conducting sphere surrounded by an insulating vacuum. We show that, for a fixed total helicity, the minimum energy state corresponds to a force-free configuration. We find a simple class of axisymmetric solutions, parametrized by angular and radial quantum numbers. However, these solutions have a discontinuity in the toroidal magnetic field at the stellar surface which will exert a toroidal stress on the surface of the star. We then describe two other classes of solutions, the standard spheromak solutions and ones with fixed surface magnetic fields, the latter being relevant for neutron stars with rigid crusts. We discuss the implications of our results for the structure of neutron star magnetic fields, the decay of fields, and the origin of variability and outbursts in magnetars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse the X-ray spectrum of the active late-type star YZ CMi (M4.5V); for quiescent as well as active stages, we derive emission measure (EM) distributions, elemental abundances, and electron temperatures and densities, which are in turn used to estimate flare loop lengths as well as coronal magnetic field strengths. YZ CMi was observed in the wavelength range 1–40 Å by the X-ray detectors RGS, EPIC-MOS and EPIC-pn onboard XMM–Newton. Some flares occurred during the observation. We perform a multi-temperature fit and model the differential EM of both the flaring and the quiescent parts of the spectrum and derive the coronal temperature distribution, EMs, and elemental abundances of the flaring and quiescent states. The observed temperature covers a range from about 1.3 to 42 MK. The total volume EM in this temperature interval is for the quiescent state and for the active state. The abundance pattern in the quiescent state shows some depletion of low first ionization potential (FIP) elements relative to high-FIP elements, indicating the presence of an I(nverse)FIP effect in this active star. No abundance differences between the quiescent and the active states are established. Based on the X-ray light curves in combination with the temperature, density and EM, the coronal magnetic field strength at flare-site is found to be between 50 and 100 G and the flaring loop lengths are estimated to be in the range of cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“Rotating RAdio Transients” (RRATs) are a newly discovered astronomical phenomenon, characterised by occasional brief radio bursts, with average intervals between bursts ranging from minutes to hours. The burst spacings allow identification of periodicities, which fall in the range 0.4 to 7 seconds. The RRATs thus seem to be rotating neutron stars, albeit with properties very different from the rest of the population. We here present the serendipitous detection with the Chandra X-ray Observatory of a bright point-like X-ray source coincident with one of the RRATs. We discuss the temporal and spectral properties of this X-ray emission, consider counterparts in other wavebands, and interpret these results in the context of possible explanations for the RRAT population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-wavelength observations of the 2004 December 27 Giant Flare (GF) from SGR 1806–20 and its long-lived radio afterglow are briefly reviewed. The GF appears to have been produced by a dramatic reconfiguration of the magnetic field near the surface of the neutron star, possibly accompanied by fractures in the crust. The explosive release of over 1046 erg (isotropic equivalent) powered a one-sided mildly relativistic outflow. The outflow produced a new expanding radio nebula that is still visible over a year after the GF. Also considered are the constraints on the total energy in the GF, the energy and mass in the outflow, and on the external density, as well as possible implications for short γ-ray bursts and potential signatures in high energy neutrinos, photons, or cosmic rays. Some possible future observations of this and other GFs are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present simultaneous UV, G, R and I monitoring of 19 M dwarfs that reveal a huge flare on the M9 dwarf with an amplitude in the UV of at least 6 mag. This is one of the strongest detections ever of an optical flare in an M star and one of the first in an ultracool dwarf (spectral types later than about M7). Four intermediate-strength flares were found in this and three other targets. For the whole sample we deduce a flare probability of 0.013 (rate of ), and for 2M1707+64 alone. Deviations of the flare emission from a blackbody is consistent with strong line emission. We also confirm our previously found rotation period for 2M1707+64 and determine it more precisely to be . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The very active RS CVn-type star UX Ari was observed using high-resolution echelle spectrograph attached to the 2.16m telescope of Xinglong station in Nov.-Dec. 2001 and Dec. 2002. By means of synthetic spectral subtraction method, the information about chromospheric activity of the system was obtained through several chromospheric activity indicators HeI D$_3$, NaI D$_1$D$_2$, H$_{\alpha}$, and CaII IRT lines. Based on the analysis for these activity indicators, we found that the chromospheric activity of UX Ari showed obvious orbital modulation phenomenon, and the favorite active longitudes were around the quadratures of the binary system. During the two observing runs, hot plage and very strong optical flare events were detected, which were always happened around the favorite active longitudes of the system. Moreover, they were linked with the photospheric starspots in spatial structure, and appeared just above the main starspots.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

X-ray emission from stars in the cool half of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is generally attributed to the presence of a magnetic corona that contains plasma at temperatures exceeding 1 million K. Coronae are ubiquitous among these stars, yet many fundamental mechanisms operating in their magnetic fields still elude an interpretation through a detailed physical description. Stellar X-ray astronomy is therefore contributing toward a deeper understanding of the generation of magnetic fields in magnetohydrodynamic dynamos, the release of energy in tenuous astrophysical plasmas through various plasma-physical processes, and the interactions of high-energy radiation with the stellar environment. Stellar X-ray emission also provides important diagnostics to study the structure and evolution of stellar magnetic fields from the first days of a protostellar life to the latest stages of stellar evolution among giants and supergiants. The discipline of stellar coronal X-ray astronomy has now reached a level of sophistication that makes tests of advanced theories in stellar physics possible. This development is based on the rapidly advancing instrumental possibilities that today allow us to obtain images with sub-arcsecond resolution and spectra with resolving powers exceeding 1000. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy has, in fact, opened new windows into astrophysical sources, and has played a fundamental role in coronal research.The present article reviews the development and current status of various topics in the X-ray astronomy of stellar coronae, focusing on observational results and on theoretical aspects relevant to our understanding of coronal magnetic structure and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impulsively generated short-period fast magneto-acoustic wave trains, guided by solar and stellar coronal loops, are numerically modelled. In the developed stage of the evolution, the wave trains have a characteristic quasi-periodic signature. The quasi-periodicity results from the geometrical dispersion of the guided fast modes, determined by the transverse profile of the loop. A typical feature of the signature is a tadpole wavelet spectrum: a narrow-spectrum tail precedes a broad-band head. The instantaneous period of the oscillations in the wave train decreases gradually with time. The period and the spectral amplitude evolution are shown to be determined by the steepness of the transverse density profile and the density contrast ratio in the loop. The propagating wave trains recently discovered with the Solar Eclipse Coronal Imaging System (SECIS) instrument are noted to have similar wavelet spectral features, which strengthens the interpretation of SECIS results as guided fast wave trains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We examine the flaring behaviour of the cataclysmic variable AE Aqr in the context of the ‘magnetic propeller’ model for this system. The flares are thought to arise from collisions between high-density regions in the material expelled from the system after interaction with the rapidly rotating magnetosphere of the white dwarf. We calculate the first quantitative models for the flaring and calculate the time-dependent emergent optical spectra from the resulting hot, expanding ball of gas. We compare the results under different assumptions to observations and derive values for the mass, length-scale and temperature of the material involved in the flare. We see that the fits suggest that the secondary star in this system has Population II composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Using high-time-resolution (72 ms) spectroscopy of AE Aqr obtained with LRIS on Keck II we have determined the spectrum and spectral evolution of a small flare. Continuum and integrated line fluxes in the flare spectrum are measured, and the evolution of the flare is parametrized for future comparison with detailed models of the flares. We find that the velocities of the flaring components are consistent with those previously reported for AE Aqr by Welsh, Horne & Gomer and Horne. The characteristics of the 33-s oscillations are investigated: we derive the oscillation amplitude spectrum, and from that determine the spectrum of the heated regions on the rotating white dwarf. Blackbody fits to the major and minor pulse spectra and an analysis of the emission-line oscillation properties highlight the shortfalls in the simple hotspot model for the oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We present high-resolution echelle spectroscopy that confirms, via the identification of numerous chromospheric emission lines, the extremely high levels of chromospheric activity displayed by the secondary stars in post-common-envelope binaries (PCEBs). Furthermore, the EG UMa data set includes the first ever high-resolution spectroscopic observations of flare activity in a PCEB system. The nature of the EG UMa spectra is investigated and a two-flare model that explains all of the observed emission-line features is identified. V-band photometry of EG UMa includes a further flare event, but contains no evidence of pulsations from the white dwarf primary star in this system. The extensive spectral-line emission observed in EG UMa is also observed in HZ 9. The criteria used to identify flare events in the EG UMa data is employed to classify the HZ 9 spectrum as an observation of extremely high level, quiescent, chromospheric activity, and not arising from a flare event. PG 1026+002 and RE J1629+780 both display H Balmer and Hei D[sub 3] line emission. The observed activity of the secondary star in PG 1026+002 appears, however, to be at a lower level than that exhibited by the secondary stars in EG UMa, HZ 9 and RE J1629+780. It is not clear why PG 1026+002 should be exhibiting a lower level of activity, nor is it possible to deduce whether this is a transient phenomenon. The only spectral features attributable to the secondary star in GD 123 are weak Hα line emission and Na i doublet line absorption at 8183, 8195 Å. The Hei D[sub 3] line is a magnetic activity indicator and its presence in all of the PCEB spectra, with exception of GD 123, is direct evidence for the maintenance of magnetic fields in all of these late-type, fully convective, dwarf secondary stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is observational evidence showing that stellar and solar flares occur with a similar circumstance, although the former are usually much more energetic. It is expected that the bombardment by high-energy electrons is one of the chief heating processes of the flaring atmosphere. In this paper we study how a precipitating electron beam can influence the line profiles of Lyα, Hα, Ca iiK and λ8542. We use a model atmosphere of a dMe star and make non-LTE computations taking into account the non-thermal collisional rates owing to the electron beam. The results show that the four lines can be enhanced to different extents. The relative enhancement increases with increasing formation height of the lines. Varying the energy flux of the electron beam has different effects on the four lines. The wings of Lyα and Hα become increasingly broad with the beam flux; change of the Ca iiK and λ8542 lines, however, is most significant in the line centre. Varying the electron energy (i.e. the low-energy cut-off for a power-law beam) has a great influence on the Lyα line, but little on the Hα and Ca iilines. An electron beam of higher energy precipitates deeper, thus producing less enhancement of the Lyα line. The Lyα/Hα flux ratio is thus sensitive to the electron energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microquasar binary stellar systems emit electromagnetic radiation and high-energy particles over a broad energy spectrum. However, they are so far away that it is hard to observe their details. A simulation offers the link between relatively scarce observational data and the rich theoretical background. In this work, high-energy particle emission from simulated twin microquasar jets is calculated in a unified manner. From the cascade of emission within an element of jet matter to the dynamic and radiative whole jet model, the series of physical processes involved are integrated together. A programme suite assembled around model data produces synthetic images and spectra directly comparable to potential observations by contemporary arrays. The model is capable of describing a multitude of system geometries, incorporating increasing levels of realism depending on need and available computational resources. As an application, the modelling process is applied to a typical microquasar, which is synthetically observed from different angles using various imaging geometries. Furthermore, the resulting intensities are comparable to the sensitivity of existing detectors. The combined background emission from a potential distribution of microquasars is also modelled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stellar flares are known to originate from magnetic reconnection in the atmospheres of late–type stars or through radiatively driven wind instabilities in early–type stars. Situated right between these two groups, the A–type stars are not expected to support either of the two mechanisms. However, recent studies report flare features in the Kepler light curves of 32 A–type stars, contradicting theory. We investigate the stars reported in literature, setting strong constraints on the detection criteria. Although significantly fewer, we conclude that flare-like features are present. To determine the origin we obtained high-resolution spectra from the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) for the ten brightest, flaring A-type stars for 3-4 epochs. Here we present the preliminary results of these spectroscopic observations, with respect to spectral classification and binarity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Late-type stars with thick convective zones and rapid rotations exhibit magnetic activity phenomena, such as starspots, plages, and flares. However, in many such kinds of eclipsing binaries, the details of the active phenomena are not well understood. In order to improve our understanding of stellar magnetic activities, we are carrying out an extensive study of the magnetic activities of eclipsing binaries by multi-color CCD photometry using several telescopes (SARA 90cm at KPNO, and NAOC 85cm and 60 cm telescopes at Xinglong). In this paper, we will present our preliminary results with revised orbital parameters, starspot parameters, and stellar flare events on DV Psc and BX Tri. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]