Large Starspots Research Articles

Luminous Optical and X-Ray Flaring of the Putative Redback Millisecond Pulsar 1FGL J0523.5–2529

Several redback and black widow millisecond pulsar binaries have episodes of flaring in X-rays and optical. We initially detected such behavior from the Fermi selected redback candidate 1FGL J0523.5–2529 during optical time-series monitoring. Triggered observations with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory over the next ≈100 days showed episodic flaring in X-rays with luminosity up to 8 × 1033 erg s−1 (∼100 times the minimum), and a comparable luminosity in the optical/UV, with similar power-law spectra of f ν ∝ ν −0.7. These are the most luminous flares seen in any nonaccreting “spider” pulsar system, which may be related to the large size of the companion through the fraction of the pulsar wind that it or its ablated wind intercepts. Simultaneously with an optical flare, we see Balmer line and He i emission, not previously known in this object, which is evidence of a stellar wind that may also inhibit detection of radio pulsations. The quiescent optical light curves, while dominated by ellipsoidal modulation, show evidence of variable nonuniform temperature that could be due either to large starspots or asymmetric heating of the companion by the pulsar. This may explain a previous measurement of unusual nonzero orbital eccentricity as, alternatively, distortion of the radial-velocity curve by the surface temperature distribution of the large companion.

Revealing the Field Sub-subgiant Population Using a Catalog of Active Giant Stars and Gaia EDR3

Abstract Sub-subgiant stars (SSGs) fall below the subgiant branch and/or red of the giant branch in open and globular clusters, an area of the color–magnitude diagram (CMD) not populated by standard stellar evolution tracks. One hypothesis is that SSGs result from rapid rotation in subgiants or giants due to tidal synchronization in a close binary. The strong magnetic fields generated inhibit convection, which in turn produces large starspots, radius inflation, and lower-than-expected average surface temperatures and luminosities. Here we cross-reference a catalog of active giant binaries (RS CVns) in the field with Gaia EDR3. Using the Gaia photometry and parallaxes, we precisely position the RS CVns in a CMD. We identify stars that fall below a 14 Gyr, metal-rich isochrone as candidate field SSGs. Out of a sample of 1723 RS CVn, we find 448 SSG candidates, a dramatic expansion from the 65 SSGs previously known. Most SSGs have rotation periods of 2–20 days, with the highest SSG fraction found among RS CVn with the shortest periods. The ubiquity of SSGs among this population indicates that SSGs are a normal phase in evolution for RS CVn-type systems, not rare by-products of dynamical encounters found only in dense star clusters as some have suggested. We present our catalog of 1723 active giants, including Gaia photometry and astrometry, and rotation periods from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and International Variable Star Index (VSX). This catalog can serve as an important sample to study the impacts of magnetic fields in evolved stars.

Properties and evolutions of starspots on three detached eclipsing binaries in the LAMOST–Kepler survey

ABSTRACT Spotted detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs) offer insights into starspots on binaries. In this work, we study three spotted DEBs, KIC 8097825, KIC 6859813 and KIC 5527172, which have been observed using Kepler photometry and Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) spectroscopy. The physical parameters of binaries are determined by binary modelling. The size, lifetime and single/-double-dip ratio (SDR) of starspots are derived by starspot analysis. KIC 8097825 has large starspots. KIC 6859813 has a spot rotation period shorter than its orbital period but the system should be synchronized by inference from time-scale estimation. The difference may be the result of the surface differential rotation. KIC 5527172 has a long spot lifetime and an M-dwarf component with an inflation radius. The primaries of these binaries and the secondary of KIC 8097825 have spots. Adding spotted DEBs from the literature, we compare the starspots on binaries with those on the single stars. The spot sizes of starspots on 65 per cent of binaries are smaller than the median of those on single stars. The lifetimes of starspots on binaries are consistent with those on single stars when the rotation periods are larger than 3 d. SDRs for half of the binaries are consistent with those of single-star systems, while the other half are smaller. The relative lifetime positively correlates with the rms and SDR but negatively correlates with the rotation period. These relations are similar to those of spots on single-star systems. Binaries with luminosity ratios close to the unit tend to have more double dips.

Color Dependence of Planetary Transit Depths due to Large Starspots and Dust Clouds: Application to PTFO 8-8695

Abstract Although thousands of exoplanets have now been discovered, there is still a significant lack of observations of young planets only a few Myr old. Thus there is little direct evidence available to differentiate between various models of planet formation. The detection of planets of this age would provide much-needed data that could help constrain the planet formation process. To explore what transit observations of such planets may look like, we model the effects of large starspots and dust clouds on the depths of exoplanet transits across multiple wavelengths. We apply this model to the candidate planet PTFO 8-8695b, whose depths vary significantly across optical and infrared wavelengths. Our model shows that, while large starspots can significantly increase the color dependence of planetary transits, a combination of starspots and a large cloud surrounding the planet is required to reproduce the observed transit depths across four wavelengths.

KIC 12268220: A δ Scuti Pulsating Star and an Active Protohelium White Dwarf in an Eclipsing Binary System

Abstract We present a photometric, spectroscopic, asteroseismic, and evolutionary analysis of the Algol-type eclipsing binary KIC 12268220. We find the O’Connell effect and anticorrelated eclipse timing variations in the Kepler light curve, revealing the presence of large starspots. Radial velocities and atmospheric parameters are obtained from ground-based spectroscopic observations. Combined with the radial velocity measurements and Gaia-derived total luminosity, our light-curve modeling yields the solution of the physical parameters for both the primary and secondary components. We find 14 independent frequencies arising from the δ Scuti primary, and the observed frequencies agree with the frequency range of unstable modes from nonadiabatic calculations. Based on the conclusion from previous literature, we run a grid of models to study the evolution process of our system. The evolutionary tracks of our model suggest that the low-mass ( ∼ 0.23 M ⊙ ) evolved secondary shows a similar evolutionary state to the R CMa-type system, which might evolve to an EL CVn system.

Hunt for Starspots in HARPS Spectra of G and K Stars

Abstract We present a method for detecting starspots on cool stars using the cross-correlation function (CCF) of high-resolution molecular spectral templates applied to archival high-resolution spectra of G and K stars observed with the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS)/HARPS-N. We report nondetections of starspots on the Sun even when the Sun was spotted, the solar twin 18 Scorpii, and the very spotted Sun-like star HAT-P-11, suggesting that Sun-like starspot distributions will be invisible to the CCF technique, and should not produce molecular absorption signals that might be confused for signatures of exoplanet atmospheres. We detect strong TiO absorption in the T Tauri K-dwarfs LkCa 4 and AA Tau, consistent with significant coverage by cool regions. We show that despite the nondetections, the technique is sensitive to relatively small spot coverages on M dwarfs and large starspot areas on Sun-like stars.

Superflares and variability in solar-type stars with TESS in the Southern hemisphere

ABSTRACT Superflares on solar-type stars have been a rapidly developing field ever since the launch of Kepler. Over the years, there have been several studies investigating the statistics of these explosive events. In this study, we present a statistical analysis of stellar flares on solar-type stars made using photometric data in 2-min cadence from Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite of the whole Southern hemisphere (sectors 1–13). We derive rotational periods for all the stars in our sample from rotational modulations present in the light curve as a result of large star-spot(s) on the surface. We identify 1980 stellar flares from 209 solar-type stars with energies in the range of 1031–1036 erg (using the solar flare classification, this corresponds to X1–X100 000) and conduct an analysis into their properties. We investigate the rotational phase of the flares and find no preference for any phase, suggesting the flares are randomly distributed. As a benchmark, we use GOES data of solar flares to detail the close relationship between solar flares and sunspots. In addition, we also calculate approximate spot areas for each of our stars and compare this to flare number, rotational phase, and flare energy. Additionally, two of our stars were observed in the continuous viewing zone with light-curves spanning 1 yr; as a result we examine the stellar variability of these stars in more detail.

A Well-aligned Orbit for the 45 Myr-old Transiting Neptune DS Tuc Ab

Abstract DS Tuc Ab is a Neptune-sized planet that orbits around a G star in the 45 Myr old Tucana-Horologium moving group. Here, we report the measurement of the sky-projected angle between the stellar spin axis and the planet’s orbital axis, based on the observation of the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect during three separate planetary transits. The orbit appears to be well aligned with the equator of the host star, with a projected obliquity of . In addition to the distortions in the stellar absorption lines due to the transiting planet, we observed variations that we attribute to large starspots, with angular sizes of tens of degrees. The technique that we have developed for simultaneous modeling of starspots and the planet-induced distortions may be useful in other observations of planets around active stars.

Temporal Evolution of Spatially Resolved Individual Star Spots on a Planet-hosting Solar-type Star: Kepler-17

Abstract Star spot evolution is visible evidence of the emergence/decay of the magnetic field on a stellar surface, and it is therefore important for the understanding of the underlying stellar dynamo and consequential stellar flares. In this paper, we report the temporal evolution of individual star spot areas on the hot-Jupiter-hosting, active solar-type star Kepler-17, whose transits occur every 1.5 days. The spot longitude and area evolution are estimated (1) from the stellar rotational modulations of Kepler data and (2) from the brightness enhancements during the exoplanet transits caused by existence of large star spots. As a result of the comparison, the number of spots, spot locations, and the temporal evolution derived from the rotational modulations are largely different from those of in-transit spots. We confirm that, although only two light-curve minima appear per rotation, there are clearly many spots present on the star. We find that the observed differential intensity changes are sometimes consistent with the spot pattern detected by transits, but at other times they do not match with each other. Although the temporal evolution derived from the rotational modulation differs from those of in-transit spots to a certain degree, the emergence/decay rates of in-transit spots are within an order of magnitude of those derived for sunspots as well as our previous research based only on rotational modulations. This supports the hypothesis that the emergence/decay of sunspots and extremely large star spots on solar-type stars occur through the same underlying processes.

MKT J170456.2–482100: the first transient discovered by MeerKAT

ABSTRACT We report the discovery of the first transient with MeerKAT, MKT J170456.2–482100, discovered in ThunderKAT images of the low-mass X-ray binary GX339–4. MKT J170456.2–482100 is variable in the radio, reaching a maximum flux density of $0.71\pm 0.11\, \mathrm{mJy}$ on 2019 October 12, and is undetected in 15 out of 48 ThunderKAT epochs. MKT J170456.2–482100 is coincident with the chromospherically active K-type sub-giant TYC 8332-2529-1, and $\sim 18\, \mathrm{yr}$ of archival optical photometry of the star shows that it varies with a period of $21.25\pm 0.04\, \mathrm{d}$. The shape and phase of the optical light curve changes over time, and we detect both X-ray and UV emission at the position of MKT J170456.2–482100, which may indicate that TYC 8332-2529-1 has large star spots. Spectroscopic analysis shows that TYC 8332-2529-1 is in a binary, and has a line-of-sight radial velocity amplitude of $43\, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}}$. We also observe a spectral feature in antiphase with the K-type sub-giant, with a line-of-sight radial velocity amplitude of $\sim 12\pm 10\, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}}$, whose origins cannot currently be explained. Further observations and investigation are required to determine the nature of the MKT J170456.2–482100 system.

Do Kepler Superflare Stars Really Include Slowly Rotating Sun-like Stars?—Results Using APO 3.5 m Telescope Spectroscopic Observations and Gaia-DR2 Data

Abstract We report the latest view of Kepler solar-type (G-type main-sequence) superflare stars, including recent updates with Apache Point Observatory (APO) 3.5 m telescope spectroscopic observations and Gaia-DR2 data. First, we newly conducted APO 3.5 m spectroscopic observations of 18 superflare stars found from Kepler 1-minute time-cadence data. More than half (43 stars) are confirmed to be “single” stars, among 64 superflare stars in total that have been spectroscopically investigated so far in this APO 3.5 m and our previous Subaru/HDS observations. The measurements of v sin i (projected rotational velocity) and chromospheric lines (Ca ii H and K and Ca ii λ8542) support that the brightness variation of superflare stars is caused by the rotation of a star with large starspots. We then investigated the statistical properties of Kepler solar-type superflare stars by incorporating Gaia-DR2 stellar radius estimates. As a result, the maximum superflare energy continuously decreases as the rotation period P rot increases. Superflares with energies ≲5 × 1034 erg occur on old, slowly rotating Sun-like stars (P rot ∼ 25 days) approximately once every 2000–3000 yr, while young, rapidly rotating stars with P rot ∼ a few days have superflares up to 1036 erg. The maximum starspot area does not depend on the rotation period when the star is young, but as the rotation slows down, it starts to steeply decrease at P rot ≳ 12 days for Sun-like stars. These two decreasing trends are consistent since the magnetic energy stored around starspots explains the flare energy, but other factors like spot magnetic structure should also be considered.

Can Flare Loops Contribute to the White-light Emission of Stellar Superflares?

Abstract Since the discovery of stellar superflares by the Kepler satellite, these extremely energetic events have been studied in analogy to solar flares. Their white-light (WL) continuum emission has been interpreted as being produced by heated ribbons. In this paper, we compute the WL emission from overlying flare loops depending on their density and temperature and show that, under conditions expected during superflares, the continuum brightening due to extended loop arcades can significantly contribute to stellar flux detected by Kepler. This requires electron densities in the loops of 1012−1013 cm−3 or higher. We show that such densities, exceeding those typically present in solar-flare loops, can be reached on M-dwarf and solar-type superflare stars with large starspots and much stronger magnetic fields. Quite importantly, the WL radiation of loops is not very sensitive to their temperature and thus both cool as well as hot loops may contribute. We show that the WL intensity emergent from optically thin loops is lower than the blackbody radiation from flare ribbons, but the contribution of loops to total stellar flux can be quite important due to their significant emitting areas. This new scenario for interpreting superflare emission suggests that the observed WL flux is due to a mixture of the ribbon and loop radiation and can be even loop-dominated during the gradual phase of superflares.

Large Starspot Groups on HAT-P-11 in Activity Cycle 1

HAT-P-11 is a planet-hosting K4V star in the Kepler field, with an activity cycle that bear similarities to the Sun's. The chromospheric activity of HAT-P-11 indicates that a new activity cycle is beginning. We report ground-based observations with holographic diffuser photometry to measure the starspots of HAT-P-11 in its second observed magnetic activity cycle (Cycle 1). We find the area coverage of starspots within the transit chord for UTC 2017-10-30 is 14% --- which makes this transit the most spotted HAT-P-11 transit observed to date. We suggest that we are likely observing occultations of large spot groups appearing at the beginning of Cycle 1.

Accurate Star Centroid Detection for the Advanced Geosynchronous Radiation Imager of Fengyun-4A

Star observation can be used for the image navigation of certain instruments aboard the three-axis stabilized geostationary satellites. How to extract the accurate star centroids in the observed star images is one of the key problems. In this paper, a high precision star centroid detection method is proposed for the advanced geosynchronous radiation imager (AGRI) of Fengyun-4A (FY-4A), the first experimental satellite of the new generation of Chinese geostationary meteorological satellites FY-4 series. Different from star sensors which are deliberately defocused with relatively large star spot, AGRI is focused for the purpose of earth observation, making it challenging to extract accurate star centroids. To solve the problem, we take the advantage of continuous observing and improve the precision of star centroiding by trajectory fitting and energy response curve fitting. Extensive experiments have been performed on simulated star images and the actual observation data of AGRI aboard FY-4A over ten months in-orbit tests. Experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately extract star centroids with the error less than 0.3 pixels, laying a solid foundation for image navigation of FY-4A.

Contemporaneous Imaging Comparisons of the Spotted Giant σ Geminorum Using Interferometric, Spectroscopic, and Photometric Data

Abstract Nearby active stars with relatively rapid rotation and large starspot structures offer the opportunity to compare interferometric, spectroscopic, and photometric imaging techniques. In this paper, we image a spotted star with three different methods for the first time. The giant primary star of the RS Canum Venaticorum binary σ Geminorum (σ Gem) was imaged for two epochs of interferometric, high-resolution spectroscopic, and photometric observations. The light curves from the reconstructions show good agreement with the observed light curves, supported by the longitudinally consistent spot features on the different maps. However, there is strong disagreement in the spot latitudes across the methods.

Sunspots, Starspots, and Elemental Abundances

Abstract Element abundances in the solar photosphere, chromosphere, transition region, and corona are key parameters for investigating sources of the solar wind and for estimating radiative losses in the quiet corona and in dynamical events such as solar flares. Abundances in the solar corona and photosphere differ from each other depending on the first ionization potential (FIP) of the element. Normally, abundances with FIP values less than about 10 eV are about 3–4 times more abundant in the corona than in the photosphere. However, recently, an inverse FIP effect was found in small regions near sunspots where elements with FIP less than 10 eV are less abundant relative to high FIP elements ( eV) than they are in the photosphere. This is similar to fully convective stars with large starspots. The inverse FIP effect is predicted to occur in the vicinity of sunspots/starspots. Up to now, the solar anomalous abundances have only been found in very spatially small areas. In this paper, we show that in the vicinity of sunspots there can be substantially larger areas with abundances that are between coronal and photospheric abundances and sometimes just photospheric abundances. In some cases, the FIP effect tends to shut down near sunspots. We examine several active regions with relatively large sunspots that were observed with the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer on the Hinode spacecraft in cycle 24.

On the Origin of Sub-subgiant Stars. II. Binary Mass Transfer, Envelope Stripping, and Magnetic Activity∗

Abstract Sub-subgiant stars (SSGs) lie to the red of the main sequence and fainter than the red giant branch in cluster color–magnitude diagrams (CMDs), a region not easily populated by standard stellar evolution pathways. While there has been speculation on what mechanisms may create these unusual stars, no well-developed theory exists to explain their origins. Here we discuss three hypotheses of SSG formation: (1) mass transfer in a binary system, (2) stripping of a subgiant’s envelope, perhaps during a dynamical encounter, and (3) reduced luminosity due to magnetic fields that lower convective efficiency and produce large starspots. Using the stellar evolution code MESA, we develop evolutionary tracks for each of these hypotheses, and compare the expected stellar and orbital properties of these models with six known SSGs in the two open clusters M67 and NGC 6791. All three of these mechanisms can create stars or binary systems in the SSG CMD domain. We also calculate the frequency with which each of these mechanisms may create SSG systems, and find that the magnetic field hypothesis is expected to create SSGs with the highest frequency in open clusters. Mass transfer and envelope stripping have lower expected formation frequencies, but may nevertheless create occasional SSGs in open clusters. They may also be important mechanisms to create SSGs in higher mass globular clusters.

Starspot activity and superflares on solar-type stars

Abstract We analyze the correlation between starspots and superflares on solar-type stars using observations from the Kepler mission. The analysis shows that the observed fraction of stars with superflares decreases as the rotation period increases and as the amplitude of photometric variability associated with rotation decreases. We found that the fraction of stars with superflares among the stars showing large-amplitude rotational variations, which are thought to be the signature of the large starspots, also decreases as the rotation period increases. The small fraction of superflare stars among the stars with large starspots in the longer-period regime suggests that some of the stars with large starspots show a much lower flare activity than the superflare stars with the same spot area. Assuming simple relations between spot area and lifetime and between spot temperature and photospheric temperature, we compared the size distribution of large starspot groups on slowly rotating solar-type stars with that of sunspot groups. The size distribution of starspots shows the power-law distribution and the size distribution of larger sunspots lies on this power-law line. We also found that frequency–energy distributions for flares originating from spots with different sizes are the same for solar-type stars with superflares and the Sun. These results suggest that the magnetic activity we observe on solar-type stars with superflares and on the Sun is caused by the same physical processes.

Spectroscopic observations of active solar-analog stars with high X-ray luminosity, as a proxy of superflare stars

Abstract Recent studies of solar-type superflare stars have suggested that even old slowly rotating stars similar to the Sun can have large starspots and superflares. We conducted high-dispersion spectroscopy of 49 nearby solar-analog stars (G-type main-sequence stars with Teff ≈ 5600–6000 K) identified as ROSAT soft X-ray sources, which are not binary stars from previous studies. We expected that these stars could be used as a proxy of bright solar-analog superflare stars, since superflare stars are expected to show strong X-ray luminosity. More than half (37) of the 49 target stars show no evidence of binarity, and their atmospheric parameters (temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity) are within the range of ordinary solar-analog stars. We measured the intensity of Ca ii 8542 and Hα lines, which are good indicators of the stellar chromospheric activity. The intensity of these lines indicates that all the target stars have large starspots. We also measured v sin i (projected rotational velocity) and lithium abundance for the target stars. Li abundance is a key to understanding the evolution of the stellar convection zone, which reflects the stellar age, mass and rotational history. We confirmed that many of the target stars rapidly rotate and have high Li abundance, compared with the Sun, as suggested by many previous studies. There are, however, also some target stars that rotate slowly (v sin i = 2–3 km s−1) and have low Li abundance like the Sun. These results support that old and slowly rotating stars similar to the Sun could have high activity levels and large starspots. This is consistent with the results of our previous studies of solar-type superflare stars. In the future, it is important to conduct long-term monitoring observations of these active solar-analog stars in order to investigate detailed properties of large starspots from the viewpoint of stellar dynamo theory.

Starspot Activity and Superflares on Solar-type Stars

AbstractRecent high-precision photometry from space (e.g., Kepler) enables us to investigate the nature of “superflares” on solar-type stars. The bolometric energy of superflares detected by Kepler ranges from 1033 erg to 1036 erg which is 10-10,000 times larger than that released by a typical X10 class solar flare. The occurrence frequency (dN/dE) of superflares as a function of flare energy (E) shows the power-law distribution with the power-law index of ~−1.8 for 1034 < E < 1036 erg. Most of superflare stars show quasi-periodic light variations which suggest the presence of large starspots. The bolometric energy released by flares is consistent with the magnetic energy stored near the starspots. The occurrence frequency of superflares increases as the rotation period decreases. However, the energy of the largest flares observed in a given period bin does not show any clear correlation with the rotation period. These results suggest that superflares would occur on the slowly-rotating stars.