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Characterisation of stellar granulation and stellar activity (observational requirements, feasability, expectations) F. Baudin 1 , R. Samadi 2 , M-J Goupil 2 , T. Appourchaux 1 , K. Belkacem 2 , P. Boumier 1 , E. Michel 2 1 : Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
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Characterisation of stellar granulation and stellar activity (observational requirements, feasability, expectations) F. Baudin1,R. Samadi2,M-J Goupil2, T. Appourchaux1, K. Belkacem2, P. Boumier1, E. Michel2 1 : Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France 2 : LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Meudon, France
Expectations: • constraints on models (of convection) • refinement of empirical laws relating activity to star characteristics… and better understanding of dynamo in stars? • Convection and dynamo are still among the most crucial open questions in stellar (and even solar) physics
Granulation (convection at the surface) • Granulation spectrum = function of: • dL/L (border/center of the granule) (= temperature) • eddie size at the surface dgranul • overturn time of the eddies at the surface • (+ star radius)
Activity (convection at the base of the CZ) • Activity spectrum = function of: • Rossby number Ro = Prot /tbcz (Prot rotation period and • tbcz overturn time of eddies where dynamo occurs (base of CZ) • activity (variability) time scale Empirical law relating Ro to the observed flux in CaII H & K [Noyes et al, 1984, ApJ]
Activity (convection at the base of the CZ) • Prot : hopefully from observations… • tbcz : from models,but… • « variable » definition: • where exactly at the base of CZ • tbcz = Hp/w or aHp/w or aHp/2w • [see the poster of L. Mendez et al]
Activity (convection at the base of the CZ) Remark: variability observed in visible light = spots variability in CaII H & K = faculaes If sVis different from sCaHK… Information on the magnetic field manifestation (ratio spots/faculae)
Activity (time scale) • Activity time scale with COROT (visible light) : • spots lifetime combined with rotation period • (solar case not so simple; instrumental low frequency noise) • No real law, even empirical, to estimate the activity time scale • exploratory approach based on many stars and comparison to their rotation period
Which star to look at? (detection) 4s2t 1/2pt
Which stars to look at? (granulation) A sun at m=6 ? Strong optimism required
Which stars to look at? (granulation) M = 1.5 MO at m=6 ? OK until m=8
Which star to look at? (detection) 4s2t 1/2pt
Which stars to look at? (activity) Sun at m=11? ….yes?
Which stars to look at? (activity) Young M = 1.3 MO star at m=13 ? Yes!
Conclusion: objectives • Constraints on surface convection time scale • Refined models of convection • Amplitude of variability versus Rossby number (empirical) • + exploratory approach of variability time scale • Clues to understand better stellar dynamo • + constraints on models? (a)
Modelling the granulation characteristics (continue) Future work : • doing the same with 3D simulations of Stein & Nordlund : • Cartesian geometry • Navier Stockes Eq. • Realistic LTE radiatif transfer • Opacities binned over 4 color bands
Conclusion: requirements Need for CZ!? ( M < 2MO) Activity: Even faint stars (even m=13, from exo channel) Young stars, fast rotators Granulation: m < 8 Massive ( > 1.5 MO) stars Impossible in exo (photon noise + temporal sampling) Need for a precise correction of very low frequency instrumental noise!! Good to have ground observations to have Ca H & K measurements (Mt Wilson index)