Extending M Dwarf Variability Studies to Longer Wavelengths
Abstract
Flares on M dwarfs occur stochastically, and the statistical frequency of such events is well characterized in the optical. Flares and stellar variability are a source of confusion for large time-domain surveys, and a unified physical model of these magnetically driven events across all spectral types still awaits discovery. To correctly predict the occurrence rate of M dwarf variability in future astronomical surveys, we must understand the full SED of these events as completely as possible. We have constructed a sample of 4000 M dwarfs with a broad range of properties, each with thousands of epochs of observation. This matched data set comes from the SDSS Stripe 82 and LINEAR databases in the optical, and 2MASS Calibration Scan database in the NIR. We present preliminary results that extend the flaring rate and variability signature to longer wavelengths, where many future scientific missions such as LSST, JWST, and others will operate.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #217
- Pub Date:
- January 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AAS...21724213D