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The Corona of the Young Solar Analog EK DraconisFirst coronal microwave and new soft X-ray observations of the very active, near-Zero-Age Main-Sequence (ZAMS) dGOe star EK Dra = HD 129333 show that this analog of the young Sun is more luminous in both emissions than most single M-dwarf flare stars. Variations in the 8.4 GHz flux include modulation with the optically determined rotation period of 2.7 days. This result points to a non-uniform filling of the corona with energetic electrons due to an incomplete coverage of the surface with active regions and a source volume that is not concentric with the star. The radio luminosity varying between log L(sub R) = 13.6 and 14.6 (L(sub R) in erg/s/Hz) shows evidence for unpolarized gyrosynchrotron flares, while strongly polarized flares were absent during the observations. This star is the first young, truly solar-like main sequence G star discovered in microwaves. Having just arrived on the main sequence, it conclusively proves that young, solar-like G stars can maintain very high levels of radio emission after their T Tau phase. The X-ray observations were obtained from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS). The average X-ray luminosity amounts to log L(sub x) = 29.9 (L(sub x) in erg/s). A Raymond-Smith type plasma model fit yields two plasma components at temperatures of 1.9 and 10 MK, with volume emission measures of 1.2 and 2.5 x 10 (exp 52)/cu cm, respectively. The X-ray light curve is significantly variable, with the photon count rate from the cooler plasma being strongly modulated by the rotation period; the emission from the hotter plasma is only weakly variable. Modeling of the source distribution in the stellar corona yields electron densities of the order of 4 x 10(exp 10)/cu cm or higher for the cool plasma component. It indicates that a considerable portion of EK Dra's high X-ray luminosity is due to high-density plasma rather than large emission volume. Parameters for an X-ray flare indicate an electron density of 1.75 x 10(exp 11)/cu cm and a source height of (1-2) x 10(exp 10) cm, compatible with a few times the scale height of the cooler plasma component.
Document ID
19970019702
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Gudel, M.
(Paul Scherrer Inst. Villigen, Switzerland)
Schmitt, J. H. M. M.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Extraterrestrische Physik Garching, Germany)
Benz, A. O.
(Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Switzerland)
Elias, N. M., II
(Naval Observatory Washington, DC United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Volume: 301
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-204568
NAS 1.26:204568
Report Number: NASA-CR-204568
Report Number: NAS 1.26:204568
Accession Number
97N21381
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: SNSF-20-040336.94
CONTRACT_GRANT: SNSF-8220-033360
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-2075
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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