Galactic M Dwarf Flare Rates

低质量恒星的耀斑速率是当前理解磁发电机演化、耀斑对附近行星演化的影响以及耀斑在当前和未来大时域巡天中的瞬变特征的一个重要课题。在这里，一项主要的观测计划将被执行，以获得关于耀斑光曲线、频率和能量的新数据，这些数据来自于以前被忽视的低质量恒星（相对不活跃的恒星和非常晚类型的恒星）。一组模拟银河系尺度M矮星耀斑的数值模拟也将进行。有了这些新数据，霍利博士和合作者将确定恒星完全对流时耀斑活动的变化，为磁场产生的新湍流发电机模型提供见解和经验约束。耀斑数据也将被纳入在母星耀斑影响下的行星大气演化模型中。数值模拟将把对附近几颗恒星上个别耀斑的研究转变为对银河系尺度上M矮星耀斑的全球影响的明确预测。该项目的观测部分将完全整合到华盛顿大学的天文学预专业计划（Pre-MAP）和高级本科生顶点观测序列中。Pre-MAP的重点是通过在第一季度开始的研究项目中立即让来自代表性不足的群体的新生参与进来，从而增加多样性。Capstone项目在马纳斯塔什岭天文台（Manastash Ridge Observatory）附近的1米级望远镜上训练高级天文学本科专业学生的观测技术、数据简化和分析。教师和研究生将与大一和大四的本科生一起工作，本科生也将相互合作，建立一个对每个学生都有益的导师阶梯。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.