Galactic M Dwarf Flare Rates

低质量恒星耀斑的速率是一个重要的当前感兴趣的主题，以了解磁发电机的演化，耀斑对附近行星演化的影响，以及耀斑在当前和未来的大型时域巡天中的瞬态变化特征。在这里，将进行一项重大的观测计划，以获得以前被忽视的低质量恒星（相对不活跃的恒星和非常晚的恒星）的耀斑光变曲线，频率和能量的新数据。一组数值模拟模型M矮耀斑在银河系的规模也将进行。有了这些新的数据，霍利博士和合作者将确定耀斑活动的变化，发生恒星成为完全对流，提供洞察力和经验约束新的湍流发电机模型的磁场生产。耀斑数据也将被纳入行星大气演变模型的影响下，从母星星耀斑。数值模拟将把对附近几颗恒星上单个耀斑的研究转化为对银河系尺度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的天文学专业预科项目（Pre-MAP）和高级本科生Capstone观测序列。预MAP的重点是增加多样性，立即涉及来自代表性不足的人口在研究项目开始在他们的第一季度的研究新生。顶点序列训练高级本科天文学专业的观测技术，数据减少和分析使用1米级望远镜在附近的马纳斯塔什岭天文台。教师和研究生将与新生和高年级本科生一起工作，本科生也将相互合作，建立一个导师阶梯，使学生个人受益。这个项目也将支持两名研究生，他们的论文材料将来自这个项目。

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.