J. López-Santiago

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.

THE NEAREST YOUNG MOVING GROUPS

The latest results in the research of forming planetary systems have led several authors to compile a sample of candidates for searching for planets in the vicinity of the Sun. Young stellar associations are indeed excellent laboratories for this study, but some of them are not close enough to allow the detection of planets through adaptive optics techniques. However, the existence of very close young moving groups can solve this problem. Here we have compiled the members of the nearest young moving groups, as well as a list of new candidates from our catalog of late-type stars that are possible members of young stellar kinematic groups, studying their membership through spectroscopic and photometric criteria.

Effect of magnetic activity saturation in chromospheric flux–flux relationships

We present a homogeneous study of chromospheric and coronal flux–flux relationships using a sample of 298 late-type dwarf active stars with spectral types F to M. The chromospheric lines were observed simultaneously in each star to avoid spread as a result of long-term variability. Unlike other works, we subtract the basal chromospheric contribution in all the spectral lines studied. For the first time, we quantify the departure of dMe stars from the general relations. We show that dK and dKe stars also deviate from the general trend. Studying the flux–colour diagrams, we demonstrate that the stars deviating from the general relations are those with saturated X-ray emission and we show that these stars also present saturation in the Hα line. Using several age spectral indicators, we show that these are younger stars than those following the general relationships. The non-universality of flux–flux relationships found in this work should be taken into account when converting between fluxes in different chromospheric activity indicators.

The Gaia-ESO Survey: Chromospheric emission, accretion properties, and rotation in γ Velorum and Chamaeleon I

Aims. One of the goals of the Gaia-ESO Survey (GES), which is conducted with FLAMES at the VLT, is the census and the characterization of the low-mass members of very young clusters and associations. We conduct a comparative study of the main properties of the sources belonging to γ Velorum ( γ Vel) and Chamaeleon I (Cha I) young associations, focusing on their rotation, chromospheric radiative losses, and accretion. Methods. We used the fundamental parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, lithium abundance, and radial velocity) delivered by the GES consortium in the first internal data release to select the members of γ Vel and Cha I among the UVES and GIRAFFE spectroscopic observations. A total of 140 γ Vel members and 74 Cha I members were studied. The procedure adopted by the GES to derive stellar fundamental parameters also provided measures of the projected rotational velocity (v sini). We calculated stellar luminosities through spectral energy distributions, while stellar masses were derived by comparison with evolutionary tracks. The spectral subtraction of low-activity and slowly rotating templates, which are rotationally broadened to match the v sini of the targets, enabled us to measure the equivalent widths (EWs) and the fluxes in the Hα and Hβ lines. The Hα line was also used for identifying accreting objects, on the basis of its EW and the width at the 10% of the line peak (10%W), and for evaluating the mass accretion rate ( u Macc). Results. The distribution of v sini for the members of γ Vel displays a peak at about 10 km s −1 with a tail toward faster rotators. There is also some indication of a different v sini distribution for the members of its two kinematical populations. Most of these stars have Hα fluxes corresponding to a saturated activity regime. We find a similar distribution, but with a narrower peak, for Cha I. Only a handful of stars in γ Vel display signatures of accretion, while many more accretors were detected in the younger Cha I, where the highest Hα fluxes are mostly due to accretion, rather than to chromospheric activity. Accreting and active stars occupy two different regions in a Teff–flux diagram and we propose a criterion for distinguishing them. We derive u Macc),

The ultracool dwarf DENIS-P J104814.7-395606 - Chromospheres and coronae at the low-mass end of the main-sequence

Context. Several diagnostics ranging from the radio to the X-ray band re suitable for investigating the magnetic activity of lat etype stars. Empirical connections between the emission at d ifferent wavelengths place constraints on the nature and ef ficiency of the emission mechanism and the physical conditions in differen t atmospheric layers. The activity of ultracool dwarfs, at t he low-mass end of the main-sequence, is poorly understood. Aims. We have performed a multi-wavelength study of one of the near est M9 dwarfs, DENIS-P J104814.7-395606 ( 4 pc), with the aim to examine its position within the group of magnetically ctive ultracool dwarfs, and, in general, to advance our und erstanding of these objects comparing them to early-M type dwarf stars and the Sun. Methods. We have obtained an XMM-Newton observation of DENIS-P J1048 4.7-395606 and a broad-band spectrum from the ultraviolet to the near infrared with X-Shooter. From this d ataset we obtain the X-ray properties, stellar parameters, kinematics and the emission line spectrum tracing chromospheric activity . We integrate these data by a compilation of activity parame ters for ultracool dwarfs from the literature. Results. Our deep XMM-Newton observation has led to the first X-ray det ection of DENIS-P J104814.7-395606 ( logLx = 25.1) as well as the first measurement of its V band brightness ( V = 17.35 mag). Flux-flux relations between X-ray and chromospheric activity indicators are here for the first time extended into the regime of the ultracool dwarfs. The approximate agreeme nt of DENISP J104814.7-395606 and other ultracool dwarfs with flux-flux relations for early-M dwarfs suggests that the same heating mechanisms work in the atmospheres of ultracool dwarfs, albeit weaker a s judged from their lower fluxes. The observed Balmer decreme nts of DENIS 1048-3956 are compatible with optically thick plasma in LTE at low, nearly photospheric temperature or optically thin LTE plasma at20000K. Describing the decrements with Case B recombination requ i s different emitting regions for H α and the higher Balmer lines. The high observed H α/Hβ flux ratio is also poorly fitted by the optically thin models. W e derive a similarly high value for the Hα/Hβ ratio of vB 10 and LHS 2065 and conclude that this may be a chara teristic of ultracool dwarfs. We add DENISP J104814.7-395606 to the list of ultracool dwarfs detected in both the radio and the X-ray band. The Benz-Güdel relatio n between radio and X-ray luminosity of late-type stars is well-known to be violated by ultracool dwarfs. We speculate on the prese nce of two types of ultracool dwarfs with distinct radio and X-ray beha vior.We have obtained an XMM-Newton observation and a broad-band spectrum from the ultraviolet to the near infrared with X-Shooter for one of the nearest M9 dwarfs, DENIS-P J1048-3956 (4pc). We integrate these data by a compilation of activity parameters for ultracool dwarfs from the literature with the aim to advance our understanding of these objects by comparing them to early-M type dwarf stars and the Sun. Our deep XMM-Newton observation has led to the first X-ray detection of DENIS-P J1048-3956 (log Lx = 25.1) as well as the first measurement of its V band brightness (V = 17.35mag). Flux-flux relations between X-ray and chromospheric activity indicators are here for the first time extended into the regime of the ultracool dwarfs. The approximate agreement of DENIS-P J1048-3956 and other ultracool dwarfs with flux-flux relations for early-M dwarfs suggests that the same heating mechanisms work in the atmospheres of ultracool dwarfs, albeit weaker as judged from their lower fluxes. The observed Balmer decrements of DENIS-P J1048-3956 are compatible with optically thick plasma in LTE at low, nearly photospheric temperature or optically thin LTE plasma at 20000K. Describing the decrements with CaseB recombination requires different emitting regions for Halpha and the higher Balmer lines. The high observed Halpha/Hbeta flux ratio is also poorly fitted by the optically thin models. We derive a similarly high value for the Halpha/Hbeta ratio of vB10 and LHS2065 and conclude that this may be a characteristic of ultracool dwarfs. We add DENIS-P J1048-3956 to the list of ultracool dwarfs detected in both the radio and the X-ray band. The Benz-Guedel relation between radio and X-ray luminosity of late-type stars is well-known to be violated by ultracool dwarfs. We speculate on the presence of two types of ultracool dwarfs with distinct radio and X-ray behavior.

Analysis and modeling of high temporal resolution spectroscopic observations of flares on AD Leonis

We report the results of a high temporal resolution spectroscopic monitoring of the flare star AD Leo. During 4 nights, more than 600 spectra were taken in the optical range using the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) and the Intermediate Dispersion Spectrograph (IDS). We observed a large number of short and weak flares occurring very frequently (flare activity > 0.71 h^-1). This is consistent with the very important role that flares can play in stellar coronal heating. The detected flares are non white-light flares and, although most solar flares are of this kind, very few such events have been observed previously in stars. The behaviour of different chromospheric lines (Balmer series from H_α to H_11, Ca II H & K, Na I D_1 and D_2, He I 4026 angstrom and He i D_3) was studied in detail for a total of 14 flares. We estimated the physical parameters of the flaring plasma by using a procedure that assumes a simplified slab model of flares. All the obtained physical parameters are consistent with previously derived values for stellar flares, and the areas - less than 2.3% of the stellar surface - are comparable with the size inferred for other solar and stellar flares. We studied the relationships between the physical parameters and the area, duration, maximum flux and energy released during the detected flares.

Quantifying the contamination by old main-sequence stars in young moving groups: the case of the Local Association

Context. The associations and moving groups of young stars are excellent laboratories for investigating stellar formation in the solar neighborhood. Previous results have confirmed that a non-negligible fraction of old main-sequence stars is present in the lists of possible members of young stellar kinematic groups. A detailed study of the properties of these samples is needed to separate the young stars from old main-sequence stars with similar space motion, and identify the origin of these structures. Aims. Our intention is to characterize members of the young moving groups, determine their age distribution, and quantify the contamination by old main-sequence stars, in particular, for the Local Association. Methods. We used stars possible members of the young (~10-650 Myr) moving groups from the literature. To determine the age of the stars, we used several suitable age indicators for young main sequence stars, i.e., X-ray fluxes from the Rosat All-sky Survey database, photometric data from the Tycho-2, Hipparcos, and 2MASS database. We also used spectroscopic data, in particular the equivalent width of the lithium line Li I λ6707.8 A and H_α, to constrain the range of ages of the stars. Results. By combining photometric and spectroscopic data, we were able to separate the young stars (10-650 Myr) from the old (> 1 Gyr) field ones. We found, in particular, that the Local Association is contaminated by old field stars at the level of ~30%. This value must be considered as the contamination for our particular sample, and not of the entire Local Association. For other young moving groups, it is more difficult to estimate the fraction of old stars among possible members. However, the level of X-ray emission can, at least, help to separate two age populations: stars with <200 Myr and stars older than this. Conclusions. Among the candidate members of the classical moving groups, there is a non-negligible fraction of old field stars that should be taken into account when studying the stellar birthrate in the solar neighborhood. Our results are consistent with a scenario in which the moving groups contain both groups of young stars formed in a recent star-formation episode and old field stars with similar space motion. Only by combining X-ray and optical spectroscopic data is it possible to distinguish between these two age populations.

X-ray optical depth diagnostics of T Tauri accretion shocks

Context. In classical T Tauri stars, X-rays are produced by two plasma components: a hot low-density plasma, with frequent flaring activity, and a high-density lower temperature plasma. The former is coronal plasma related to the stellar magnetic act ivity. The latter component, never observed in non-accreting stars, could be plasma heated by the shock formed by the accretion process. However its nature is still being debated. Aims. Our aim is to probe the soft X-ray emission from the high-density plasma component in classical T Tauri stars to check whether this is plasma heated in the accretion shock or whether it is coronal plasma. Methods. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy allows us to measure individual line fluxes. We analyze X-ray spectra of the classic al T Tauri star MP Muscae and TW Hydrae. Our aim is to evaluate line ratios to search for optical depth effects, which are expected in the accretion-driven scenario. We also derive the plasma emission measure distributions EMD, to investigate whether and how the EMD of accreting and non accreting young stars differ. The results are compared to those obtained for the non-accreting weak-line T Tauri stars TWA 5. Results. We find evidence of resonance scattering in the strongest lin es of MP Mus, supporting the idea that soft X-rays are produced by plasma heated in the accretion shock. We also find that the EMD of MP Mus has two peaks: a cool peak at temperatures expected by plasma heated in the accretion shock, and a hot peak typical of coronal plasma. The shape of the EMD of MP Mus appears to be the superposition of the EMD of a pure coronal source, like TWA 5, and an EMD alike that of TW Hydrae, which is instead dominated by shock-heated plasma.

The Gaia-ESO Survey: Extracting diffuse interstellar bands from cool star spectra DIB-based interstellar medium line-of-sight structures at the kpc scale

Aims. We study how diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) measured toward distance-distributed target stars can be used to locate dense interstellar (IS) clouds in the Galaxy and probe a line-of-sight (LOS) kinematical structure, a potentially useful tool when gaseous absorption lines are saturated or not available in the spectral range. Cool target stars are numerous enough for this purpose. Methods. We devised automated DIB-fitting methods appropriate for cool star spectra and multiple IS components. The data were fitted with a combination of a synthetic stellar spectrum, a synthetic telluric transmission, and empirical DIB profiles. The initial number of DIB components and their radial velocity were guided by HI 21 cm emission spectra, or, when available in the spectral range, IS neutral sodium absorption lines. For NaI, radial velocities of NaI lines and DIBs were maintained linked during a global simultaneous fit. In parallel, stellar distances and extinctions were estimated self-consistently by means of a 2D Bayesian method from spectroscopically-derived stellar parameters and photometric data. Results. We have analyzed Gaia-ESO Survey (GES) spectra of 225 stars that probe between ~2 and 10 kpc long LOS in five different regions of the Milky Way. The targets are the two CoRoT fields, two open clusters (NGC 4815 and γ Vel), and the Galactic bulge. Two OGLE fields toward the bulge observed before the GES are also included (205 target stars). Depending on the observed spectral intervals, we extracted one or more of the following DIBs: λλ 6283.8, 6613.6, and 8620.4. For each field, we compared the DIB strengths with the Bayesian distances and extinctions, and the DIB Doppler velocities with the HI emission spectra. Conclusions. For all fields, the DIB strength and the target extinction are well correlated. For targets that are widely distributed in distance, marked steps in DIBs and extinction radial distance profiles match each other and broadly correspond to the expected locations of spiral arms. For all fields, the DIB velocity structure agrees with HI emission spectra, and all detected DIBs correspond to strong NaI lines. This illustrates how DIBs can be used to locate the Galactic interstellar gas and to study its kinematics at the kpc scale, as illustrated by Local and Perseus Arm DIBs that differ by ≳30 km s-1, in agreement with HI emission spectra. On the other hand, if most targets are located beyond the main absorber, DIBs can trace the differential reddening within the field.

XMM-Newton detection of the supernova remnant G304.6 + 0.1 (Kes 17)

Aims. We report the first detailed X-ray study of the supernova remn ant (SNR) G304.6+0.1, achieved with the XMM-Newton mission. Methods. The powerful imaging capability of XMM-Newton was used to study the X-ray characteristics of the remnant at different energy ranges. The X-ray morphology and spectral properties were analyzed. In addittion, radio and mid-infrared data obtained with the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope were used to study the association with the detected X-ray emission and to understand the structure of the SNR at differents wavelengths. Results. The SNR shows an extended and arc-like internal structure in the X-ray band with out a compact point-like source inside the remnant. We find a high column density of NH in the range 2.5-3.5� 10 22 cm −2 , which supports a relatively distant location ( d� 9.7 kpc). The X-ray spectrum exhibits at least three emission lines, indicating that the X-ray emission has a thin thermal plasma origin, although a non-thermal contribution cannot be discarded. The spectra of three different regions (north, center and south) are well represented by a combination of a non-equilibrium ionization (PSHOCK) and a power-law (PL) model. The mid-infrared observations show a bright filamentary structure along the n orth-south direction coincident with the NW radio shell. This suggests that Kes 17 is propagating in a non-uniform environment with high density and that the shock front is interacting with several adjacent massive molecular clouds. The good correspondence of radio and mid-infrared emissions suggests that the filamentary fe atures are caused by shock compression. The X-ray characteristics and well-known radio parameters indicate that G304.6+0.1 is a middle-aged SNR (2.8-6.4)� 10 4 yr old and a new member of the recently proposed group of mixed-morphology SNRs.