E. de Castro

Late-type members of young stellar kinematic groups - I. Single stars

This is the first paper of a series aimed at studying the properties of late-type members of young stellar kinematic groups. We concentrate our study on classical young moving groups such as the Local Association (Pleiades moving group, 20-150 Myr), IC 2391 supercluster (35 Myr), Ursa Major group (Sirius supercluster, 300 Myr), and Hyades supercluster (600 Myr), as well as on recently identified groups such as the Castor moving group (200 Myr). In this paper we compile a preliminary list of single late-type possible members of some of these young stellar kinematic groups. Stars are selected from previously established members of stellar kinematic groups based on photometric and kinematic properties as well as from candidates based on other criteria such as their level of chromospheric activity, rotation rate and lithium abundance. Precise measurements of proper motions and parallaxes taken from the Hipparcos Catalogue, as well as from the Tycho-2 Catalogue, and published radial velocity measurements are used to calculate the Galactic space motions (U, V W) and to apply Eggens kinematic criteria in order to determine the membership of the selected stars to the different groups. Additional criteria using age-dating methods for late-type stars will be applied in forthcoming papers of this series. A further study of the list of stars compiled here could lead to a better understanding of the chromospheric activity and their age evolution, as well as of the star formation history in the solar neighbourhood. In addition, these stars are also potential search targets for direct imaging detection of substellar companions.

Multiwavelength optical observations of chromospherically active binary systems - III. High resolution echelle spectra from Ca ii H & K to Ca ii IRT

This is the third paper of a series aimed at studying the chromosphere of active binary systems using the information provided for several optical spectroscopic features. High resolution echelle spectra including all the optical chromospheric activity indicators from the Ca II H & K to Ca II IRT lines are analysed here for 16 systems. The chromospheric contribution in these lines has been determined using the spectral subtraction technique. Very broad wings have been found in the subtracted H alpha profilp of the very active star HU Vir. These profiles are well matched using a two-component Gaussian fit; (narrow and broad) ard the broad component carl be interpreted as arising from microflaring. Red-shifted absorption features in the EHα line have been detected in several systems and excess emission in the blue wing of FG UMa was also detected. These features indicate that several dynamical processes, or a combination of them, may be involved. Using the EHα/EHβ ratio as a diagnostic we have detected prominence-like extended material viewed off the limb in many stars of the sample, and prominences viewed against the disk at some orbital phases in the dwarfs OU Gem and BF Lyn, The He I D_3 line has been detected as an absorption feature in mainly all the giants of the sample. Total filling-in of the He I D_3, probably due to microflaring activity, is observed in HU Vir. Self-absorption with red asymmetry is detected in the Ca II H & K lines of the giants 12 Cam: FG UMa and BM CVn. All the stars analysed show clear filled-in Ca II IRT lines or even notable emission reversal. The small values of the E_8542/E_8498 ratio we have found indicate Ca II IRT emission arises from plage-like regions. Orbital phase modulation of the chromospheric emission has been detected in some systems, in the case of HU Vir evidence of an active longitude area has been found.

Library of high and mid-resolution spectra in the Ca ii H & K, H∝, , Hβ, Na i D1, D2, and He i D3 line regions of F, G, K and M field stars

In this work we present spectroscopic observations centered in the spectral lines most widely used as optical indicators of chromospheric activity (H{alpha}, H{beta}, Ca II H&K, and He I D{3}) in a sample of F, G, K and M chromospherically inactive stars. The spectra have been obtained with the aim of providing a library of high and mid-resolution spectra to be used in the application of the spectral subtraction technique to obtain the active-chromosphere contribution to these lines in chromospherically active single and binary stars. This library can also be used for spectral classification purposes. A digital version with all the spectra is available via ftp and the World Wide Web (WWW) in both ASCII and FITS formats

Evidence of a massive planet candidate orbiting the young active K5V star BD+20 1790*,**

Context. BD+20 1790 is a young active, metal-rich, late-type K5Ve star. We have undertaken a study of stellar activity and kinematics for this star over the past few years. Previous results show a high level of stellar activity, with the presence of prominence-like structures, spots on the surface, and strong flare events, despite the moderate rotational velocity of the star. In addition, radial velocity variations with a semi-amplitude of up to 1 km s^(-1) were detected. Aims. We investigate the nature of these radial velocity variations, in order to determine whether they are due to stellar activity or the reflex motion of the star induced by a companion. Methods. We have analysed high-resolution echelle spectra by measuring stellar activity indicators and computing radial velocity (RV) and bisector velocity spans. Two-band photometry was also obtained to produce the light curve and determine the photometric period. Results. Based upon the analysis of the bisector velocity span, as well as spectroscopic indices of chromospheric indicators, Ca II H & K, Hα, and taking the photometric analysis into account, we report that the best explanation for the RV variation is the presence of a substellar companion. The Keplerian fit of the RV data yields a solution for a close-in massive planet with an orbital period of 7.78 days. The presence of the close-in massive planet could also be an interpretation for the high level of stellar activity detected. Since the RV data are not part of a planet search programme, we can consider our results as a serendipitous evidence of a planetary companion. To date, this is the youngest main sequence star for which a planetary candidate has been reported.

MULTIWAVELENGTH OPTICAL OBSERVATIONS OF CHROMOSPHERICALLY ACTIVE BINARY SYSTEMS

We summarize here our ongoing project of multiwavelength optical observations aimed at studying the chromosphere of active binary systems, using the information provided for several optical spectroscopic features, that are formed at different heights in the chromosphere.

X-ray variability of sigma Orionis young stars as observed with rosar

We used the Aladin Virtual Observatory tool and High Resolution Imager ROSAT archival data to search for X-ray variability in scale of days in 23 young stars in the sigma Orionis cluster and a background galaxy. Five stars displayed unambiguous flares and had probabilities p(var) >> 99% of being actual variables. Two of the detected flares were violent and long lasting, with maximum duration of six days and amplitude of eight times above the quiescent level. We classified another four stars as possible X-ray variables, including the binary system formed by the B2Vp star sigma Ori E and its close late-type companion. This makes a minimum frequency of high-amplitude X-ray variability in excess of a day of 39% among sigma Orionis stars. The incidence of this kind of X-ray variability seems to be lower among classical T Tauri stars with mid-infrared flux excesses than among fast-rotating, disk-less young stars.

EVIDENCE OF NON-THERMAL X-RAY EMISSION FROM HH 80

Protostellar jets appear at all stages of star formation when the accretion process is still at work. Jets travel at velocities of hundreds of km/s, creating strong shocks when interacting with interstellar medium. Several cases of jets have been detected in X-rays, typically showing soft emission. For the first time, we report evidence of hard X-ray emission possibly related to non-thermal processes not explained by previous models of the post-shock emission predicted in the jet/ambient interaction scenario. HH 80 is located at the south head of the jet associated to the massive protostar IRAS 18162-2048. It shows soft and hard X-ray emission in regions that are spatially separated, with the soft X-ray emission region situated behind the region of hard X-ray emission. We propose a scenario for HH 80 where soft X-ray emission is associated to thermal processes from the interaction of the jet with denser ambient matter and the hard X-ray emission is produced by synchrotron radiation at the front shock.

Multiwavelength optical observations of two chromospherically active binary systems: v789 mon and gz leo

This paper describes a multiwavelength optical study of chromospheres in two X-ray/EUV-selected active binary stars with strong H alpha emission, V789 Mon (2RE J0725-002) and GZ Leo (2RE J1101+223). The goal of the study is to determine radial velocities and fundamental stellar parameters in chromospherically active binary systems in order to include them in the activity-rotation and activity-age relations. We carried out high-resolution echelle spectroscopic observations and applied spectral-subtraction technique in order to measure emission excesses due to chromosphere. The detailed study of activity indicators allowed us to characterize the presence of different chromospheric features in these systems and enabled to include them in a larger activity-rotation survey. We computed radial velocities of the systems using cross-correlation with the radial velocity standards. The double-line spectral binarity was confirmed and the orbital solutions improved for both systems. In addition, other stellar parameters such as spectral types, projected rotational velocities (v sin i) and the equivalent width of the lithium Li i λ6707.8 A absorption line were determined.

Multiwavelength optical observations of chromospherically active binary systems - V. FF UMa (2RE J0933+624): a system with orbital period variation

Context. This is the fifth paper in a series aimed at studying the chromospheres of active binary systems using several optical spectroscopic indicators to obtain or improve orbital solution and fundamental stellar parameters. Aims. We present here the study of FF UMa ( 2RE J0933+ 624), a recently discovered, X- ray/ EUV selected, active binary with strong Hα emission. The objectives of this work are, to find orbital solutions and define stellar parameters from precise radial velocities and carry out an extensive study of the optical indicators of chromospheric activity. Methods. We obtained high resolution echelle spectroscopic observations during five observing runs from 1998 to 2004. We found radial velocities by cross correlation with radial velocity standard stars to achieve the best orbital solution. We also measured rotational velocity by cross- correlation techniques and have studied the kinematic by galactic space- velocity components ( U, V, W) and Eggen criteria. Finally, we have determined the chromospheric contribution in optical spectroscopic indicators, from Ca II H & K to Ca II IRT lines, using the spectral subtraction technique. Results. We have found that this system presents an orbital period variation, higher than previously detected in other RS CVn systems. We determined an improved orbital solution, finding a circular orbit with a period of 3.274 days. We derived the stellar parameters, confirming the subgiant nature of the primary component (M_P = 1.67 M_[circled dot] and R sin i_P = 2.17 R_[circled dot]) and obtained rotational velocities (v sin i), of 33.57 +/- 0.45 km s^-1 and 32.38 +/- 0.75 km s^-1 for the primary and secondary components respectively. From our kinematic study, we can deduce its membership to the Castor moving group. Finally, the activity study has given us a better understanding of the possible mechanisms that produce the orbital period variation.

Multiwavelength optical observations of chromospherically active binary systems - IV. The X-ray/EUV selected binary BK Psc (2RE J0039+103)

We present high resolution echelle spectra taken during four observing runs from 1999 to 2001 of the recently X-ray/EUV selected chromospherically active binary BK Psc (2RE J0039+103). Our observations confirm the single-lined spectroscopic binary (SB1) nature of this system and allow us to obtain, for the first time, the orbital solution of the system as in the case of a SB2 system. We have determined precise radial velocities of both components: for the primary by using the cross correlation technique, and for the secondary by using its chromospheric emission lines. We have obtained a circular orbit with an orbital period of 2.1663 days, very close to its photometric period of 2.24 days (indicating synchronous rotation). The spectral type (K5V) we determined for our spectra and the mass ratio (1.8) and minimum masses (M sin^3 i) resulting from the orbital solution are compatible with the observed K5V primary and an unseen M3V secondary. Using this spectral classification, the projected rotational velocity (v sin i, of 17.1 km s^-1) obtained from the width of the cross-correlation function and the data provided by HIPPARCOS, we have derived other fundamental stellar parameters. The kinematics and the non-detection of the Li I line indicate that it is an old star. The analysis of the optical chromospheric activity indicators from the Ca II H & K to Ca II IRT lines, by using the spectral subtraction technique, indicates that both components of the binary system show high levels of chromospheric activity. Hα emission above the continuum from both components is a persistent feature of this system during the period 1999 to 2001 of our observations as well as in previous observations. The Hα and Hβ emission seems to arise from prominence-like material, and the Ca II IRT emission from plage-like regions.