Galactic M Dwarf Flare Rates

低质量恒星耀斑的速率是目前对理解磁发电机演化、耀斑对附近行星演化的影响以及在现在和未来的大型时间域巡天中耀斑的瞬变特征的重大兴趣的主题。在这里，将进行一项重要的观测计划，以获得以前被忽视的一类低质量恒星(相对不活跃的恒星和极晚类型的恒星)的耀斑光曲线、频率和能量的新数据。此外，还将进行一系列数值模拟，以模拟银河系规模的M矮星耀斑。利用这些新数据，霍利博士和他的合作者将确定恒星完全对流时耀斑活动的变化，为磁场产生的新的湍流发电机模型提供洞察力和经验约束。耀斑数据还将被纳入受母星耀斑影响的行星大气演化模型中。数值模拟将把对附近几颗恒星上单个耀斑的研究转变为对银河系范围内M矮星耀斑全球影响的明确预测。该项目的观测部分将完全纳入华盛顿大学天文学专业预科项目(Pre-MAP)和高等本科生Capstone观测序列。Pre-MAP的重点是通过立即让来自代表性不足人群的新生参与从他们第一季度开始的研究项目来增加多样性。Capstone序列使用附近Manastash Ridge天文台的1米级望远镜培训高级本科生天文学专业的观测技术、数据处理和分析。教师和研究生将与新生和高级本科生一起工作，本科生还将相互合作，建立一个对学生个人有利的导师阶梯。该项目还将支持两名研究生，他们的论文材料将来自该项目。

The rate at which low mass stars flare is a subject of significant current interest for understanding magnetic dynamo evolution, the effect of flares on the evolution of nearby planets, and the transient variability signature of flares in present and future large time-domain sky surveys. Here, a major observational program will be undertaken to obtain new data on flare light curves, frequencies and energies for classes of low mass stars that have been previously ignored (relatively inactive stars, and very late type stars). A set of numerical simulations to model M dwarf flares on a Galactic scale will also be carried out.With these new data, Dr. Hawley and collaborators will determine the changes in flare activity that occur as stars become fully convective, providing insight and empirical constraints on new turbulent dynamo models for magnetic field production. The flare data will also be incorporated into models of planetary atmosphere evolution under the influence of flaring from the parent star. The numerical simulations will transform the study of individual flares on a few nearby stars into definitive predictions of the global implications of M dwarf flares on a Galactic scale.The observational component of the project will be fully integrated into the University of Washington's Pre-Major in Astronomy Program (Pre-MAP) and the advanced undergraduate Capstone observing sequence. Pre-MAP is focused on increasing diversity by immediately involving freshmen from under-represented populations in research projects beginning in their first quarter of study. The Capstone sequence trains advanced undergraduate astronomy majors in observational techniques, data reduction and analysis using a 1-meter class telescope at the nearby Manastash Ridge Observatory. Faculty and graduate students will work with both freshmen and advanced undergraduates, and the undergraduates will additionally work with each other, building a mentor-ladder that will benefit the individual students. This project will also support two graduate students whose thesis material will come from this project.