Simultaneous X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, and radio observations of the flare star Proxima Centauri

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (53) References (37) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Simultaneous X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, and radio observations of the flare star Proxima Centauri Haisch, B. M. ; Slee, O. B. ; Siegman, B. C. ; Nikoloff, I. ; Candy, M. ; Harwood, D. ; Verveer, A. ; Quinn, P. J. ; Wilson, I. ; Linsky, J. L. Abstract Results of coordinated program of observations in the X-ray, UV, optical and radio regions of the dM5e flare star Proxima Centauri are presented. Simultaneous observations of the star were obtained on March 6 and March 7, 1979, by the Einstein Observatory IPC, the IUE SWP and LWR cameras at low dispersion, three ground-based optical telescopes in Australia and the Parkes 64-m radio telescope. A total of 10 radio bursts and six optical flares was detected during three nights of simultaneous radio and optical observations, which appear to be broadly correlated. A major X-ray flare event was detected with temperatures of 1.7 x 10 to the 7th and 1.2 x 10 to the 7th K during the rise and decay phases, respectively, respective X-ray fluxes of 3.0 x 10 to the -11th and 3.7 x 10 to the -11th ergs/sq cm per sec, and changes in spectral flux distribution. No radio, optical or UV flare emission corresponding to the X-ray flare was detected. The X-ray flare is interpreted in terms of an arch model with cooling predominantly by X-ray radiation, with an electron density of 1.0 x 10 to the 11th/cu cm during the decay phase and a total arch length comparable to the size of the star itself. The X-ray flare observed is thus more similar to a typical strong solar flare than heretofore seen on a flare star. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: May 1981 DOI: 10.1086/158878 Bibcode: 1981ApJ...245.1009H Keywords: Flare Stars; Radio Sources (Astronomy); Stellar Radiation; Stellar Spectrophotometry; Ultraviolet Astronomy; Variable Stars; X Ray Sources; Chromosphere; Electron Density (Concentration); Heao; Iue; Stellar Atmospheres; Stellar Coronas; Stellar Spectra; Astronomy full text sources ADS | data products MAST (1)