Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Oct 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008a%26a...489l..45r&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 489, Issue 3, 2008, pp.L45-L48
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
4
Stars: Activity, Stars: Late-Type, Stars: Individual: Proxima Centauri, Stars: Magnetic Fields, Stars: Low-Mass, Brown Dwarfs
Scientific paper
We report moderate magnetic flux of 450 G < Bf < 750 G (3σ) on the nearby M 5.5 flare star Proxima Centauri. A high resolution UVES spectrum was used to measure magnetic flux from Zeeman broadening in absorption lines of molecular FeH around 1 μm. The magnetic flux we find is relatively weak compared with classical strong flare stars, but so are Proxima's flaring rates and actual emission levels. We compare what is known about the rotation rate, Rossby number, and activity levels in this star to relations between these quantities that are being developed more generally for M dwarfs. We conclude that the magnetic flux is higher than the best estimates of the Rossby number from period measurements. On the other hand, the activity levels of Proxima Centauri are at the high end of what could be expected based on the measured field, but not so high as to exceed the natural scatter in these relations (other stars lie along this high envelope as well).
Basri Gibor
Reiners Ansgar
No associations
LandOfFree
The moderate magnetic field of the flare star Proxima Centauri does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The moderate magnetic field of the flare star Proxima Centauri, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The moderate magnetic field of the flare star Proxima Centauri will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1661789