Age-Activity Analysis in Wide Binary Stars
Research Mentor(s)
Davenport, James R. A., 1983-
Description
We present an analysis of flare activity in wide binary stars using a combination of data sets from the NASA Kepler mission. The target list is from Janes (2017), and contains a set of known wide binary star systems identified by proper motions in the Kepler field. We crossmatched these systems with data on relative flare luminosity for ~200,000 stars in the Kepler field from Davenport (2016). This combined data set allows us to compare flare activity between stars in co-eval binaries. We find that in some wide binaries, both components are of the same spectral type and mass, but display significantly different levels of stellar activity. This may be due to these systems being α Centauri-like hierarchical triple systems. We also hope to learn if flare rates are a useful metric for age, like gyrochronology, in these wide binary systems.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
18-5-2017 12:00 PM
End Date
18-5-2017 3:00 PM
Department
Physics/Astronomy
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Double stars; Stellar activity
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Age-Activity Analysis in Wide Binary Stars
We present an analysis of flare activity in wide binary stars using a combination of data sets from the NASA Kepler mission. The target list is from Janes (2017), and contains a set of known wide binary star systems identified by proper motions in the Kepler field. We crossmatched these systems with data on relative flare luminosity for ~200,000 stars in the Kepler field from Davenport (2016). This combined data set allows us to compare flare activity between stars in co-eval binaries. We find that in some wide binaries, both components are of the same spectral type and mass, but display significantly different levels of stellar activity. This may be due to these systems being α Centauri-like hierarchical triple systems. We also hope to learn if flare rates are a useful metric for age, like gyrochronology, in these wide binary systems.
Comments
Outstanding Poster Award Recipient