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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

The Southern Stellar Stream Spectroscopic Survey (S{sup 5}): Chemical Abundances of Seven Stellar Streams

We present high-resolution Magellan/MIKE spectroscopy of 42 red giant stars in seven stellar streams confirmed by the Southern Stellar Stream Spectroscopic Survey (S {sup 5}): ATLAS, Aliqa Uma, Chenab, Elqui, Indus, Jhelum, and Phoenix. Abundances of 30 elements have been derived from over 10,000 individual line measurements or upper limits using photometric stellar parameters and a standard LTE analysis. This is currently the most extensive set of element abundances for stars in stellar streams. Three streams (ATLAS, Aliqa Uma, and Phoenix) are disrupted metal-poor globular clusters, although only weak evidence is seen for the light-element anticorrelations commonly observed in globular clusters. Four streams (Chenab, Elqui, Indus, and Jhelum) are disrupted dwarf galaxies, and their stars display abundance signatures that suggest progenitors with stellar masses ranging from 10{sup 6} to 10{sup 7} M {sub ⊙}. Extensive description is provided for the analysis methods, including the derivation of a new method for including the effect of stellar parameter correlations on each star’s abundance and uncertainty. This paper includes data gathered with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes located at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Revisiting stellar properties of star-forming galaxies with stellar and nebular spectral modelling

Spectral synthesis is a powerful tool for interpreting the physical properties of galaxies by decomposing their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) into the main luminosity contributors (e.g. stellar populations of distinct age and metallicity or ionised gas). However, the impact nebular emission has on the inferred properties of star-forming (SF) galaxies has been largely overlooked over the years, with unknown ramifications to the current understanding of galaxy evolution. The objective of this work is to estimate the relations between stellar properties (e.g. total mass, mean age, and mean metallicity) of SF galaxies by simultaneously fitting the stellar and nebular continua and comparing them to the results derived through the more common purely stellar spectral synthesis approach. The main galaxy sample from SDSS DR7 was analysed with two distinct population synthesis codes: FADO, which estimates self-consistently both the stellar and nebular contributions to the SED, and the original version of STARLIGHT, as representative of purely stellar population synthesis codes. Differences between codes regarding average mass, mean age and mean metallicity values can go as high as ~0.06 dex for the overall population of galaxies and ~0.12 dex for SF galaxies (galaxies with EW(Hα) > 3 Å), with the most prominent difference between both codes in the two populations being in the light-weighted mean stellar age. FADO presents a broader range of mean stellar ages and metallicities for SF galaxies than STARLIGHT, with the latter code preferring metallicity solutions around the solar value (Z ⊙ = 0.02). A closer look into the average light- and mass-weighted star formation histories of intensively SF galaxies (EW(Hα) > 75 Å) reveals that the light contributions of simple stellar populations (SSPs) younger than ≤10 7 (10 9 ) years in STARLIGHT are higher by ~5.41% (9.11%) compared to FADO. Moreover, FADO presents higher light contributions from SSPs with metallicity ≤ Z ⊙ /200 (Z ⊙ /50) of around 8.05% (13.51%) when compared with STARLIGHT. This suggests that STARLIGHT is underestimating the average light-weighted age of intensively SF galaxies by up to ~0.17 dex and overestimating the light-weighted metallicity by up to ~0.13 dex compared to FADO (or vice versa). The comparison between the average stellar properties of passive, SF and intensively SF galaxy samples also reveals that differences between codes increase with increasing EW(Hα) and decreasing total stellar mass. Moreover, comparing SF results from FADO in a purely stellar mode with the previous results qualitatively suggests that differences between codes are primarily due to mathematical and statistical differences and secondarily due to the impact of the nebular continuum modelling approach (or lack thereof). However, it is challenging to adequately quantify the relative role of each factor since they are likely interconnected. This work finds indirect evidence that a purely stellar population synthesis approach negatively impacts the inferred stellar properties (e.g. mean age and mean metallicity) of galaxies with relatively high star formation rates (e.g. dwarf spirals, ‘green peas’, and starburst galaxies). In turn, this can bias interpretations of fundamental relations such as the mass-age or mass-metallicity, which are factors worth bearing in mind in light of future high-resolution spectroscopic surveys at higher redshifts (e.g. MOONS and 4MOST-4HS).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Main-sequence Scatter is Real: The Joint Dependence of Galaxy Clustering on Star Formation and Stellar Mass

We present new measurements of the clustering of stellar-mass-complete samples of ∼40,000 SDSS galaxies at z ∼ 0.03 as a joint function of stellar mass and specific star formation rate (sSFR). Our results confirm what Coil et al. find at z ∼ 0.7: galaxy clustering is a stronger function of sSFR at fixed stellar mass than of stellar mass at fixed sSFR. We also find that galaxies above the star-forming main sequence (SFMS) with higher sSFR are less clustered than galaxies below the SFMS with lower sSFR, at a given stellar mass. A similar trend is present for quiescent galaxies. This confirms that main-sequence scatter, and scatter within the quiescent sequence, is physically connected to the large-scale cosmic density field. We compare the resulting galaxy bias versus sSFR, and relative bias versus sSFR ratio, for different galaxy samples across 0 < z < 1.2 to mock galaxy catalogs based on the empirical galaxy evolution model of Behroozi et al. This model fits PRIMUS and DEEP2 clustering data well at intermediate redshift, but agreement with SDSS is not as strong. We show that increasing the correlation between galaxy SFR and halo accretion rate at z ∼ 0 in the model substantially improves agreement with SDSS data. Mock catalogs suggest that central galaxies contribute substantially to the dependence of clustering on sSFR at a given stellar mass and that the signal is not simply an effect of satellite galaxy fraction differences with sSFR. Our results are highly constraining for galaxy evolution models and show that the stellar-to-halo mass relation depends on sSFR.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

The physical connection between central stellar surface density and stellar spin in SAMI and MaNGA nearby galaxies

The stellar surface density within the inner 1 kpc (Σ 1 ) has become a popular tool for understanding the growth of galaxies and its connection with the quenching of star formation. The emerging picture suggests that building a central dense core is a necessary condition for quenching. However, it is not clear whether changes in Σ 1 trace changes in stellar kinematics and the growth of dispersion-dominated bulges. In this paper, we combine imaging from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with stellar kinematics from the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral-field unit and Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory surveys to quantify the correlation between Σ 1 and the proxy for stellar spin parameter within one effective radius (λ re ) for 1599 nearby galaxies. We show that, on the star-forming main sequence and at fixed stellar mass, changes in Σ 1 are mirrored by changes in λ re . While forming stars, main-sequence galaxies remain rotationally-dominated systems, with their Σ 1 increasing but their stellar spin staying either constant or slightly increasing. The picture changes below the main sequence, where Σ 1 and λ re are no longer correlated. Passive systems show a narrower range of Σ 1 , but a wider range of λre compared to star-forming galaxies. Our results indicate that, from a structural point of view, passive galaxies are a more heterogeneous population than star-forming systems, and may have followed a variety of evolutionary paths. This also suggests that, if dispersion-dominated bulges still grow significantly at z ~ 0, this generally takes place during, or after, the quenching phase.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Gaia–Kepler Stellar Properties Catalog. II. Planet Radius Demographics as a Function of Stellar Mass and Age

Studies of exoplanet demographics require large samples and precise constraints on exoplanet host stars. Using the homogeneous Kepler stellar properties derived using the Gaia Data Release 2 by Berger et al., we recompute Kepler planet radii and incident fluxes and investigate their distributions with stellar mass and age. We measure the stellar mass dependence of the planet radius valley to be dlogR{sub p}/dlogM{sub ⋆} = 0.26{sub −0.16}{sup +0.21}, consistent with the slope predicted by a planet mass dependence on stellar mass (0.24–0.35) and core-powered mass loss (0.33). We also find the first evidence of a stellar age dependence of the planet populations straddling the radius valley. Specifically, we determine that the fraction of super-Earths (1–1.8 R{sub ⊕}) to sub-Neptunes (1.8–3.5 R{sub ⊕}) increases from 0.61 ± 0.09 at young ages (<1 Gyr) to 1.00 ± 0.10 at old ages (>1 Gyr), consistent with the prediction by core-powered mass loss that the mechanism shaping the radius valley operates over Gyr timescales. Additionally, we find a tentative decrease in the radii of relatively cool (F {sub p} < 150 F{sub ⊕}) sub-Neptunes over Gyr timescales, which suggests that these planets may possess H/He envelopes instead of higher mean molecular weight atmospheres. We confirm the existence of planets within the hot sub-Neptunian “desert” (2.2 R {sub ⊕} < R {sub p} < 3.8 R{sub ⊕}, F {sub p} > 650 F{sub ⊕}) and show that these planets are preferentially orbiting more evolved stars compared to other planets at similar incident fluxes. In addition, we identify candidates for cool (F {sub p} < 20 F{sub ⊕}) inflated Jupiters, present a revised list of habitable zone candidates, and find that the ages of single and multiple transiting planet systems are statistically indistinguishable.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

CoSHA: Code for Stellar Properties Heuristic Assignment—for the MaStar Stellar Library

We introduce CoSHA: a Code for Stellar properties Heuristic Assignment. In order to estimate the stellar properties, CoSHA implements a Gradient Tree Boosting algorithm to label each star across the parameter space (T eff , $\mathrm{log}g$, [Fe/H], and [α/Fe]). We use CoSHA to estimate the stellar atmospheric parameters of 22,000 unique stars in the MaNGA Stellar Library (MaStar). To quantify the reliability of our approach, we run internal tests, using both the Göttingen Stellar Library (a theoretical library) and the first data release of MaStar, and external tests, by comparing the resulting distributions in the parameter space with the APOGEE estimates of the same properties. In summary, our parameter estimates span the ranges T eff = [2900, 12,000] K, $\mathrm{log}g=[-0.5,5.6]$, [Fe/H] = [-3.74, 0.81], and αM = [-0.22, 1.17]. We report internal (external) uncertainties of the properties of ${\sigma }_{{T}_{\mathrm{eff}}}\sim 43(240)$ K, ${\sigma }_{\mathrm{log}g}\sim 0.2(0.4)$, σ [Fe/H] ~ 0.16(0.24), and σ [α/Fe] ~ 0.09(0.08). These uncertainties are comparable to those of other methods with similar objectives. Despite the fact that CoSHA is not aware of the spatial distributions of these physical properties in the Milky Way, we are able to recover the main trends known in the literature. The catalog of physical properties for MaStar can be accessed online.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The environmental dependence of the stellar mass of active galactic nucleus host galaxies and dependence of the clustering properties of active galactic nucleus host galaxies on the stellar mass

Abstract We used two volume‐limited active galactic nucleus (AGN) host galaxy samples constructed by Deng & Wen (2020, RMxAA , 56, 87), and explored the environmental dependence of the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies. In the luminous volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies apparently depends on local environments: high mass AGN host galaxies exist preferentially in the dense regions of the universe, while low mass AGN host galaxies are located preferentially in low density regions. But in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, this dependence is fairly weak. We also examined the dependence of the clustering properties of AGN host galaxies on the stellar mass by cluster analysis, and found that in the luminous volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, low mass AGN host galaxies preferentially form isolated galaxies, close pairs, and small groups, while high mass AGN host galaxies preferentially inhabit the dense groups and clusters. A substantial dependence of the clustering properties of AGN host galaxies on the stellar mass is also observed in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, which is inconsistent with the environmental dependence of the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample. This is likely due to the galaxy number of the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample being too small to ensure an ideal statistical analysis.

Deng, Xin‐Fa↗
DOE OSTI2022

Stellar multiplicity and stellar rotation: insights from APOGEE

ABSTRACT We measure rotational broadening in spectra taken by the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey to characterize the relationship between stellar multiplicity and rotation. We create a sample of 2786 giants and 24 496 dwarfs with stellar parameters and multiple radial velocities from the APOGEE pipeline, projected rotation speeds vsin i determined from our own pipeline, and distances, masses, and ages measured by Sanders & Das. We use the statistical distribution of the maximum shift in the radial velocities, ΔRVmax, as a proxy for the close binary fraction to explore the interplay between stellar evolution, rotation, and multiplicity. Assuming that the minimum orbital period allowed is the critical period for Roche Lobe overflow and rotational synchronization, we calculate theoretical upper limits on expected vsin i and ΔRVmax values. These expectations agree with the positive correlation between the maximum ΔRVmax and vsin i values observed in our sample as a function of log(g). We find that the fast rotators in our sample have a high occurrence of short-period [log(P/d) ≲ 4] companions. We also find that old, rapidly rotating main-sequence stars have larger completeness-corrected close binary fractions than their younger peers. Furthermore, rapidly rotating stars with large ΔRVmax consistently show differences of 1–10 Gyr between the predicted gyrochronological and measured isochronal ages. These results point towards a link between rapid rotation and close binarity through tidal interactions. We conclude that stellar rotation is strongly correlated with stellar multiplicity in the field, and caution should be taken in the application of gyrochronology relations to cool stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

SDSS-IV MaNGA: stellar rotational support in disc galaxies versus central surface density and stellar population age

ABSTRACT We investigate how the stellar rotational support changes as a function of spatially resolved stellar population age ($D_n4000$) and relative central stellar surface density ($\Delta \Sigma _1$) for MaNGA isolated/central disc galaxies. We find that the galaxy rotational support indicator $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ varies smoothly as a function of $\Delta \Sigma _1$ and $D_n4000$. $D_n4000$ versus $\Delta \Sigma _1$ follows a ‘J-shape’, with $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ contributing to the scatters. In this ‘J-shaped’ pattern rotational support increases with central $D_n4000$ when $\Delta \Sigma _1$ is low but decreases with $\Delta \Sigma _1$ when $\Delta \Sigma _1$ is high. Restricting attention to low-$\Delta \Sigma _1$ (i.e. large-radius) galaxies, we suggest that the trend of increasing rotational support with $D_n4000$ for these objects is produced by a mix of two different processes, a primary trend characterized by growth in $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ along with mass through gas accretion, on top of which disturbance episodes are overlaid, which reduce rotational support and trigger increased star formation. An additional finding is that star-forming galaxies with low $\Delta \Sigma _1$ have relatively larger radii than galaxies with higher $\Delta \Sigma _1$ at fixed stellar mass. Assuming that these relative radii rankings are preserved while galaxies are star forming then implies clear evolutionary paths in central $D_n4000$ versus $\Delta \Sigma _1$. The paper closes with comments on the implications that these paths have for the evolution of pseudo-bulges versus classical bulges. The utility of using $\rm D_n4000$–$\Delta \Sigma _1$ to study $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ reinforces the notion that galaxy kinematics correlate both with structure and with stellar-population state, and indicates the importance of a multidimensional description for understanding bulge and galaxy evolution.

Wang, Xiaohan (ORCID:0009000283121002)↗
DOE OSTI2022

The dark side of galaxy stellar populations – I. The stellar-to-halo mass relation and the velocity dispersion–halo mass relation

The growth and properties of galaxies are thought to be closely connected to the ones of their host dark matter haloes. Despite the importance of this so-called galaxy–halo connection, the potential role of dark matter haloes in regulating observed galaxy properties remains yet to be fully understood. In this work, we derive the ages, metallicites, and [Mg/Fe] abundances from optical spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey of nearby central galaxies, and study them in terms of their host haloes. We investigate how the scatter in the stellar-to-halo mass relation and the velocity dispersion–halo mass relation correlates with these stellar population parameters. In addition, we also study the differences when distinguishing between different galaxy morphologies and environments. We find that the ages and chemical enrichment of galaxies are not fully determined by their stellar masses or velocity dispersion, but also depend on the mass of the host haloes. Our findings suggest that the velocity dispersion is the best proxy of the stellar population parameters with halo mass playing a secondary yet noticeable role. Furthermore, we interpret that the origin of the correlation between the scatter of these relations and the ages and metallicities might be related to different halo formation times.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Stellar Population Properties in the Stellar Streams around SPRC047

Abstract We have investigated the properties (e.g., age, metallicity) of the stellar populations of a ringlike tidal stellar stream (or streams) around the edge-on galaxy SPRC047 (z= 0.031) using spectral energy distribution (SED) fits to integrated broadband aperture flux densities. We used visual images in six different bands and Spitzer/IRAC 3.6μm data. We have attempted to derive best-fit stellar population parameters (metallicity, age) in three noncontiguous segments of the stream. Due to the very low surface brightness of the stream, we have performed a deconvolution with a Richardson–Lucy–type algorithm of the low spatial resolution 3.6μm IRAC image, thereby reducing the effect of the point-spread function aliasedemissionfrom the bright edge-on central galaxy at the locations of our three stream segments. Our SED fits that used several different star formation (SF) history priors, from an exponentially decaying SF burst to continuous SF, indicate that the age–metallicity–dust degeneracy is not resolved, most likely because of inadequate wavelength coverage and low signal-to-noise ratios of the low surface brightness features. We also discuss how future deep visual–near-infrared observations, combined with absolute flux calibration uncertainties at or below the 1% level, complemented by equally well absolute flux-calibrated observations in ultraviolet and mid-infrared bands, would improve the accuracy of broadband SED fitting results for low surface brightness targets, such as stellar streams around nearby galaxies that are not resolved into stars.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
NASA NTRS2006

Direct Imaging of Stellar Surfaces: Results from the Stellar Imager (SI) Vision Mission Study

The Stellar Imager (SI) is a UV-Optical, Space-Based Interferometer designed to enable 0.1 milli-arcsecond (mas) spectral imaging of stellar surfaces and stellar interiors (via asteroseismology) and of the Universe in general. SI is identified as a "Flagship and Landmark Discovery Mission'' in the 2005 Sun Solar System Connection (SSSC) Roadmap and as a candidate for a "Pathways to Life Observatory'' in the Exploration of the Universe Division (EUD) Roadmap (May, 2005). The ultra-sharp images of the Stellar Imager will revolutionize our view of many dynamic astrophysical processes: The 0.1 mas resolution of this deep-space telescope will transform point sources into extended sources, and snapshots into evolving views. SI's science focuses on the role of magnetism in the Universe, particularly on magnetic activity on the surfaces of stars like the Sun. SI's prime goal is to enable long-term forecasting of solar activity and the space weather that it drives in support of the Living With a Star program in the Exploration Era. SI will also revolutionize our understanding of the formation of planetary systems, of the habitability and climatology of distant planets, and of many magneto-hydrodynamically controlled processes in the Universe. In this paper we will discuss the results of the SI Vision Mission Study, elaborating on the science goals of the SI Mission and a mission architecture that could meet those goals.

Carpenter, Kenneth↗
NASA NTRS2006

Stellar Imager (SI) Space Mission: Stellar Magnetic Activity

The Stellar Imager (SI) is a UV-Optical, Space-Based interferometer designed to enable 0.1 milli-arcsecond (mas) spectral imaging of stellar surfaces and stellar interiors (via asteroseismology) and of the Universe in general. SI is identified as a "Flagship and Landmark Discovery Mission" in the 2005 Sun Solar System Connection (SSSC) Roadmap and as a candidate for a "Pathways to Life Observatory" in the Exploration of the Universe Division (EUD) Roadmap (May, 2005). The ultra-sharp images of the Stellar Imager will revolutionize our view of many dynamic astrophysical processes: The 0.1 mas resolution of this deep-space telescope will transform point sources into extended sources, and snapshots into evolving views. SI'S science focuses on the role of magnetism in the Universe, particularly on magnetic activity on the surfaces of stars like the Sun. SI'S prime goal is to enable long-term forecasting of solar activity and the space weather that it drives in support of the Living With a Star program in the Exploration Era. SI will also revolutionize our understanding of the formation of planetary systems, of the habitability and climatology of distant planets, and of many magneto-hydrodynamically controlled processes in the Universe. In this paper we will discuss the science goals of the SI Mission and a mission architecture that could meet those goals.

Carpenter, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS2007

The Stellar Imager (SI) - A Mission to Resolve Stellar Surfaces, Interiors, and Magnetic Activity

The Stellar Imager (SI) is a UV/Optical, Space-Based Interferometer designed to enable 0.1 milli-arcsecond (mas) spectral imaging of stellar surfaces and, via asteroseismology, stellar interiors and of the Universe in general. The ultra-sharp images of the Stellar Imager will revolutionize our view of many dynamic astrophysical processes by transforming point sources into extended sources, and snapshots into evolving views. SI's science focuses on the role of magnetism in the Universe, particularly on magnetic activity on the surfaces of stars like the Sun. SI's prime goal is to enable long-term forecasting of solar activity and the space weather that it drives. SI will also revolutionize our understanding of the formation of planetary systems, of the habitability and climatology of distant planets, and of many magneto-hydrodynamically controlled processes in the Universe. SI is included as a 'Flagship and Landmark Discovery Mission' in the 2005 NASA Sun Solar System Connection (SSSC) Roadmap and as a candidate for a 'Pathways to Life Observatory' in the NASA Exploration of the Universe Division (EUD) Roadmap (May, 2005). In this paper we discuss the science goals and technology needs of, and the baseline design for, the SI Mission (http://hires.gsfc.nasa.gov/si/) its ability to image the 'Biggest, Baddest, Coolest Stars'.

Carpenter, Kenneth↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Stellar Imager (SI) - A Mission to Resolve Stellar Surfaces, Interiors, and Magnetic Activity

The Stellar Imager (SI) is a space-based, UV/Optical Interferometer (UVOI) designed to enable 0.1 milli-arcsecond (mas) spectral imaging of stellar surfaces and of the Universe in general. It will also probe via asteroseismology flows and structures in stellar interiors. SI will enable the development and testing of a predictive dynamo model for the Sun, by observing patterns of surface activity and imaging of the structure and differential rotation of stellar interiors in a population study of Sun-like stars to determine the dependence of dynamo action on mass, internal structure and flows, and time. SI's science focuses on the role of magnetism in the Universe and will revolutionize our understanding of the formation of planetary systems, of the habitability and climatology of distant planets, and of many magnetohydrodynamically controlled processes in the Universe. SI is a "LandmarklDiscovery Mission" in the 2005 Heliophysics Roadmap, an implementation of the UVOI in the 2006 Astrophysics Strategic Plan, and a NASA Vision Mission ("NASA Space Science Vision Missions" (2008), ed. M. Allen). We present here the science goals of the SI Mission, a mission architecture that could meet those goals, and the technology development needed to enable this mission

Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jorgen↗
NASA NTRS2021

From Starspots to Stellar Coronal Mass Ejections Revisiting Empirical Stellar Relations

Upcoming missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope, will soon characterize the atmospheres of terrestrial-type exoplanets in habitable zones around cool K- and M-type stars searching for atmospheric biosignatures. Recent observations suggest that the ionizing radiation and particle environment from active cool planet hosts may be detrimental for exoplanetary habitability. Since no direct information on the radiation field is available, empirical relations between signatures of stellar activity, including the sizes and magnetic fields of starspots, are often used. Here, we revisit the empirical relation between the starspot size and the effective stellar temperature and evaluate its impact on estimates of stellar flare energies, coronal mass ejections, and fluxes of the associated stellar energetic particle events.

Konstantin Herbst↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Modeling Stellar Jitter and its Effects on the Stellar Spectrum for More Precise Radial Velocity Measurements

Detection of Earth-size exoplanets is a technological and data analysis challenge. Future progress in Earth-mass exoplanet detection is expected from the development of extreme precision radial velocity (EPRV) measurements. The required precision of these measurements necessitates developing a new physics-based data analysis methodology to discriminate planetary signals from host-star-related effects, taking stellar variability and instrumental uncertainties into account. In this work, we investigate and quantify stellar disturbances of the planet-hosting solar-type star HD121504 from 3D radiative modeling obtained with the StellarBox code. The model was used to determine the statistical properties of the turbulent plasma and to obtain synthetic spectroscopic observations for several Fe I lines at different locations on the stellar disk to mimic high-resolution spectroscopic observations. Presented are the initial results of our effort to characterize stellar jitter properties as well as future objectives.

SMD↗