A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Detection of an energetic flare from the M5V secondary star in the Polar MQ Dra
Authors: Ramsay Gavin, Hakala Pasi, Wood Matt A
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS
Publication year: 2021
Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Journal name in source: MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Journal acronym: MON NOT R ASTRON SOC
Volume: 504
Issue: 3
First page : 4072
Last page: 4076
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0035-8711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stab1140
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/66412927
MQ Dra is a strongly magnetic Cataclysmic Variable whose white dwarf accretes material from its secondary star through a stellar wind at a low rate. TESS observations were made of MQ Dra in four sectors in Cycle 2 and show a short duration, high energy flare (similar to 10(35) erg) which has a profile characteristic of a flare from the M5V secondary star. This is one of the few occasions where an energetic flare has been seen from a Polar. We find no evidence that the flare caused a change in the light curve following the event and consider whether a coronal mass ejection was associated with the flare. We compare the frequency of energetic flares from the secondary star in MQ Dra with M dwarf stars and discuss the overall flare rate of stars with rotation periods shorter than 0.2 d and how such fast rotators can generate magnetic fields with low differential rotation rates.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
