T. A. Fleming

The Einstein Observatory Extended Medium-Sensitivity Survey. II - The optical identifications

The optical identifications are presented of the Einstein Extended Medium-Sensitivity Survey (EMSS), including the methodology used to optically identify the EMSS sources and the uncertainties involved with that process. The optical properties of the classes of X-ray, optical, and radio data for each of the identified and, as yet, unidentified sources of the survey are described. A new class of X-ray emitters, cooling flow galaxies, is proposed. The criteria used to determine whether the proposed optical counterpart to the X-ray source is a plausible identification are described. Plausibility is based on the optical classification of the counterpart, e.g., AGN, cluster, G star, and the X-ray-to-optical flux ratios previously observed for these classes of X-ray emitters. Two independent schemes of optical classification of the counterparts are used to check the plausibility of these identifications; one is based on moderate-resolution optical spectroscopy, and the other, on inferred X-ray luminosity and the overall energy distribution. 110 refs.

The ROSAT All-Sky Survey of active binary coronae. I - Quiescent fluxes for the RS Canum Venaticorum systems

One hundred and thirty-six RS CV(n) active binary systems were observed with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) during the All-Sky Survey component of the mission. The entire sky was surveyed, which represents the largest sample of RS CV(n) systems observed to date at any wavelength, including X-rays. X-ray surface fluxes for the RS CV(n) systems are found to lie in the range 10 exp 4 to 10 exp 8 ergs/sq cm seconds. Surface flux as a function of (B - V) color is reported. A decrease in surface flux with increasing rotation period for the entire sample is observed. The rotation period provides the best stellar or orbital parameter to predict the X-ray surface flux level. The absence of correlation of F(x) or L(x) with Gamma is noted due to the fact that the coronal heating mechanism for these active stars must be magnetic in character, and the magnetic field depends on the interaction between convection and differential rotation inside the star. X-ray properties of the RS CV(n) systems with 6 cm radio and C IV UV emission systems is compared.

Simultaneous Multi-Wavelength Observations of Magnetic Activity in Ultracool Dwarfs. III. X-ray, Radio, and Hα Activity Trends in M and L dwarfs

As part of our on-going investigation into the magnetic field properties of ultracool dwarfs, we present simultaneous radio, X-ray, and H? observations of three M9.5-L2.5 dwarfs (BRI?0021-0214, LSR?060230.4+391059, and 2MASS?J052338.2?140302). We do not detect X-ray or radio emission from any of the three sources, despite previous detections of radio emission from BRI?0021 and 2M0523?14. Steady and variable H? emission are detected from 2M0523?14 and BRI?0021, respectively, while no H? emission is detected from LSR?0602+39. Overall, our survey of nine M8-L5 dwarfs doubles the number of ultracool dwarfs observed in X-rays, and triples the number of L dwarfs, providing in addition the deepest limits to date, log(L X/L bol) ?5. With this larger sample we find the first clear evidence for a substantial reduction in X-ray activity, by about two orders of magnitude, from mid-M to mid-L dwarfs. We find that the decline in H? roughly follows L H?/L bol 10?0.4?(SP-6) for SP ? 6, where SP = 0 for spectral type M0. In the radio band, however, the luminosity remains relatively unchanged from M0 to L4, leading to a substantial increase in L rad/L bol. Our survey also provides the first comprehensive set of simultaneous radio/X-ray/H? observations of ultracool dwarfs, and reveals a clear breakdown of the radio/X-ray correlation beyond spectral type M7, evolving smoothly from L ?,rad/L X 10?15.5 to ~10?11.5 Hz?1 over the narrow spectral-type range M7-M9. This breakdown reflects the substantial reduction in X-ray activity beyond M7, but its physical origin remains unclear since, as evidenced by the uniform radio emission, there is no drop in the field dissipation and particle acceleration efficiency. Based on the results of our survey, we conclude that a further investigation of magnetic activity in ultracool dwarfs will benefit from a two-pronged approach: multi-rotation observations of nearby known active sources and a snapshot survey of a large sample within ~50 pc to uncover rare flaring objects.

PERIODIC RADIO AND Hα EMISSION FROM THE L DWARF BINARY 2MASSW J0746425+200032: EXPLORING THE MAGNETIC FIELD TOPOLOGY AND RADIUS OF AN L DWARF

We present an 8.5 hr simultaneous radio, X-ray, UV, and optical observation of the L dwarf binary 2MASSW J0746425+200032. We detect strong radio emission, dominated by short-duration periodic pulses at 4.86 GHz with P = 124.32 ± 0.11 min. The stability of the pulse profiles and arrival times demonstrates that they are due to the rotational modulation of a B ≈ 1.7 kG magnetic field. A quiescent nonvariable component is also detected, likely due to emission from a uniform large-scale field. The Hα emission exhibits identical periodicity, but unlike the radio pulses it varies sinusoidally and is offset by exactly 1/4 of a phase. The sinusoidal variations require chromospheric emission from a large-scale field structure, with the radio pulses likely emanating from the magnetic poles. While both light curves can be explained by a rotating misaligned magnetic field, the 1/4 phase lag rules out a symmetric dipole topology since it would result in a phase lag of 1/2 (poloidal field) or zero (toroidal field). We therefore conclude that either (1) the field is dominated by a quadrupole configuration, which can naturally explain the 1/4 phase lag; or (2) the Hα and/or radio emission regions are not trivially aligned with the field. Regardless of the field topology, we use the measured period along with the known rotation velocity (v sin i ≈ 27 km s–1), and the binary orbital inclination (i ≈ 142°), to derive a radius for the primary star of 0.078 ± 0.010 R ☉. This is the first measurement of the radius of an L dwarf, and along with a mass of 0.085 ± 0.010 M ☉ it provides a constraint on the mass-radius relation below 0.1 M ☉. We find that the radius is about 30% smaller than expected from theoretical models, even for an age of a few Gyr. The origin of this discrepancy is either a breakdown of the models at the bottom of the main sequence, or a significant misalignment between the rotational and orbital axes.

The Magnetic Properties of an L Dwarf Derived from Simultaneous Radio, X-Ray, and Hα Observations

We present the first simultaneous, multiwavelength observations of an L dwarf, the L3.5 candidate brown dwarf 2MASS J00361617+1821104, conducted with the Very Large Array, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and the Kitt Peak 4 m telescope. We detect strongly variable and periodic radio emission (P = 3 hr) with a fraction of about 60% circular polarization. No X-ray emission is detected to a limit of LX/Lbol 2 × 10-5, several hundred times below the saturation level observed in early M dwarfs. Similarly, we do not detect Hα emission to a limit of LHα/Lbol 2 × 10-7, the deepest for any L dwarf observed to date. The ratio of radio to X-ray luminosity is at least 4 orders of magnitude in excess of that observed in a wide range of active stars (including M dwarfs), providing the first direct confirmation that late-M and L dwarfs violate the radio/X-ray correlation. The radio emission is due to gyrosynchrotron radiation in a large-scale magnetic field of about 175 G, which is maintained on timescales longer than 3 yr. The detected 3 hr period may be due to (1) the orbital motion of a companion at a separation of about 5 stellar radii, similar to the configuration of RS CVn systems, (2) an equatorial rotation velocity of about 37 km s-1 and an anchored, long-lived magnetic field, or (3) periodic release of magnetic stresses in the form of weak flares. In the case of orbital motion, the magnetic activity may be induced by the companion, possibly explaining the unusual pattern of activity and the long-lived signal. We conclude that fully convective stars can maintain a large-scale and stable magnetic field, but the lack of X-ray and Hα emission indicates that the atmospheric conditions are markedly different than in early-type stars and even M dwarfs. Similar observations are therefore invaluable for probing both the internal and external structure of low-mass stars and substellar objects, and for providing constraints on dynamo models.

The ROSAT All-Sky Survey of active binary coronae. II - Coronal temperatures of the RS Canum Venaticorum systems

We present the results from an analysis of X-ray spectra of 44 RS CVn systems obtained during the ROSAT All-Sky Survey with the Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC). Thermal plasma models with two temperature components are found to reproduce the observations better than single or continuous temperature models. We typically find that a bimodal distribution of temperatures centered near 2 x 10 exp 6 and 1.6 x 10 exp 7 K fit the data best. We show that the PSPC temperatures agree well with those from similar low-resolution measurements, although differences exist, primarily due to differing detector bandpasses. After comparing coronal (either temperature or emission measure) characteristics with stellar parameters including rotation period and dynamo number, we find no compelling relationship. The height-integrated emission measures of the components in the two-temperature models, including a gravity term, are found to be well correlated with temperature.

Simultaneous Multiwavelength Observations of Magnetic Activity in Ultracool Dwarfs. I. The Complex Behavior of the M8.5 Dwarf TVLM 513–46546

We present the first simultaneous radio, X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical spectroscopic observations of the M8.5 dwarf TVLM 513–46546, with a duration of 9 hr. These observations are part of a program to study the origin of magnetic activity in ultracool dwarfs, and its impact on chromospheric and coronal emission. Here we detect steady quiescent radio emission superposed with multiple short-duration, highly polarized flares; there is no evidence for periodic bursts previously reported for this object, indicating their transient nature. We also detect soft X-ray emission, with -->LX/Lbol ≈ 10−5.1, the faintest to date for any object later than M5, and a possible X-ray flare. TVLM 513–46546 continues the trend of severe violation of the radio/X-ray correlation in ultracool dwarfs, by nearly 4 orders of magnitude. From the optical spectroscopy we find that the Balmer line luminosity exceeds the X-ray luminosity by a factor of a few, ruling out chromospheric heating by coronal X-ray emission. More importantly, we detect sinusoidal Hα and Hβ equivalent width light curves with a period of 2 hr, matching the rotation period of TVLM 513–46546. This behavior points to a corotating chromospheric hot spot or an extended magnetic structure, with a covering fraction of about 50%. This feature may be transitory based on the apparent decline in light-curve peak during the four observed maxima. From the radio data we infer a large-scale and steady magnetic field of ~102 G. A large-scale field is also required by the sinusoidal Balmer line emission. The radio flares, on the other hand, are produced in a component of the field with a strength of ~3 kG and a likely multipolar configuration. The overall lack of correlation between the various activity indicators suggests that the short-duration radio flares do not have a strong influence on the chromosphere and corona, and that the chromospheric emission is not the result of coronal heating.

Stellar coronae at the end of the main sequence - A ROSAT survey of the late M dwarfs

We present X-ray data, both detections and upper limits, from the ROSAT all-sky survey for most known M dwarfs later than type MS, as well as from selected ROSAT pointed observations of some of these stars. We compare these data with similar data for early M dwarfs in an attempt to probe the nature or the magnetic dynamo and coronal heating mechanism for the very late M dwarfs, which are presumably totally convective. Our results indicate that late M dwarfs can have coronae which are just as active as those for the early M dwarfs and that coronal heating efficiency for saturated stars (as evidenced from L X /L bol ) does not drop at spectral type M6

Simultaneous Multiwavelength Observations of Magnetic Activity in Ultracool Dwarfs. II. Mixed Trends in VB 10 and LSR 1835+32 and the Possible Role of Rotation

As part of our ongoing investigation of magnetic activity in ultracool dwarfs we present simultaneous radio, X-ray, UV, and optical observations of LSR1835+32 (M8.5), and simultaneous X-ray and UV observations of VB10 (M8), both with a duration of about 9 hr. LSR1835+32 exhibits persistent radio emission, and H? variability on timescales of 0.5-2 hr. The detected UV flux is consistent with photospheric emission, and no X-ray emission is detected to a deep limit of -->LX/Lbol 10?5.7. The H? and radio emission are temporally uncorrelated, and the ratio of radio to X-ray luminosity exceeds the correlation seen in F-M6 stars by > -->2 ? 104. The lack of radio variability during four rotations of LSR1835+32 requires a uniform stellar-scale field of ~10 G, and indicates that the H? variability is dominated by much smaller scales, vsin i > 25 km s?1, which could be the result of secondary effects such as inefficient heating or centrifugal stripping of extended coronal loops. These effects may underlie the severe violation of the radio/X-ray correlation in ultracool dwarfs.

An X-Ray Flare Detected on the M8 Dwarf VB 10

We have detected an X-ray flare on the very low mass star VB 10 (GL 752 B; M8V) using the ROSAT High Resolution Imager. VB 10 is the latest type (lowest mass) main-sequence star known to exhibit coronal activity. X-rays were detected from the star during a single 1.1 ks segment of an observation that lasted 22 ks in total. The energy released by this flare is on the order of 1027 ergs s-1. This is at least 2 orders of magnitude greater than the quiescent X-ray luminosity of VB 10, which has yet to be measured. This X-ray flare is very similar in nature to the far-ultraviolet flare that was observed by Linsky et al. using the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. We discuss reasons for the extreme difference between the flare and quiescent X-ray luminosities, including the possibility that VB 10 has no quiescent (106 K) coronal plasma at all.