Spots and White Light Flares in an L Dwarf

Abstract

We present a summary of Kepler and supporting observations of a nearby L1 dwarf. We find periodic (8.9 hour) variations with an amplitude of 1.5%. The surface features have remained consistent for 15 months. Magnetic starspots are a plausible explanation, but a cloud-related feature is also possible. We also detect white light flares as powerful as the strongest solar flares, despite the low temperature of the photosphere.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA614922

Entities

People

  • A. J. Burgasser
  • Emma Berger
  • F. J. Vrba
  • J. E. Gizis
  • K. L. Cruz
  • P. K. Williams
  • S. Metchev

Organizations

  • University of Delaware

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Amplitude
  • Astronomy
  • Astrophysics
  • Atmospheres
  • Ground Based
  • High Resolution
  • Low Temperature
  • New York
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Photosphere
  • Solar Flares
  • Space Sciences
  • Stars
  • Universities
  • White Light

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Solar Physics