NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0584
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0584 |
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PI: Gregg Hallinan, UC Berkeley (Astronomy), gregg@astro.berkeley.edu
Address: Department of Astronomy, 601 Campbell Hall #3411, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3411, USA
CoI: Stuart Littlefair, University of Sheffield
CoI: Ray Butler, National University of Ireland
CoI: Gerry Doyle, Armagh Observatory
CoI: Michael Rupen, NRAO Arizona Facility
CoI: Leon Harding, National University of Ireland
CoI: Aaron Golden, National University of Ireland
Title: Confirming Auroral Emissions on an Ultracool Dwarf
Abstract:
Ultracool dwarf pulsars are a small group of very low-mass stars and brown
dwarfs (collectively: ultracool dwarfs) which show highly coherent radio
emission which is pulsed on the rotational period. The radio emission is
providing a new framework within which to interpret the magnetic properties
of ultracool, one in which the magnetic fields and radio emission has more in
common with the magnetospheres of giant planets, than Sun-like stars. The
best studied of these objects is TVLM 513-46546. It shows periodic optical
emission, and recent observations suggest that this variabilty may be a
dramatic manifestation of aurorae on an ultracool dwarf. Here we request
time-resolved spectroscopy of TVLM 513-46546 to measure the optical spectrum
of the variable emission. These results will allow us to establish 1) the
true spectrum of the auroral emission, 2) the temperature difference between
the hot spot and the photosphere of the dwarf and 3) the amount of energy
expended in producing this auroral hot spot.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0584 |
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