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