The Mass-Radius Relation of Young Stars from K2

现代天文学依赖于恒星生命周期的理论模型。然后，这些模型被用来提出新的方法来研究其他恒星周围的行星，并确定我们自己的太阳系与其他行星系统的比较。他们的预测可以通过观察相互环绕的恒星对来检验。它们的轨道速度揭示了恒星的质量，而当它们相互遮盖时产生的暗淡则揭示了它们的大小。这个团队将研究非常年轻的日食双星系统的大样本，以测量基本的恒星性质。本科生将参与调查的所有阶段。首席调查员(PI)将把科学发现过程带入他的课堂，通过促进STEM教育和改善STEM领域中代表性不足的群体成员的留存来服务于国家利益。来自前主序恒星演化模型的预测在很大程度上仍未得到检验，特别是对于太阳以下的质量。这项研究将描述K2(重新调整用途的开普勒任务)在天蝎座上恒星形成区观测到的15个年轻的日食双星系统的特征，测量质量、半径、光度、温度和磁场强度。拟议的计划还将把观测到的磁场强度与新的磁化恒星演化模型中所需的值进行比较。PI将使用恒星天体物理学的高水平本科课程来测试新的体验式学习技术，并将其作为招募学生参与这项研究的途径，暑期实习生将从其他机构代表性不足/服务不足的人群中招聘。然后，在校的研究生会在下一年担任同伴导师和榜样。

Modern astronomy depends on theoretical models of the life cycles of stars. These models are then used to suggest new ways to study planets around other stars and to determine our own Solar System compares with other planetary systems. Their predictions can be tested by observing pairs of stars orbiting each other. Their orbital speed reveals the masses of the stars, while the dimming produced when they eclipse each other reveals their sizes. This team will study a large sample of very young eclipsing binary star systems in order to measure fundamental stellar properties. Undergraduate students will be involved at all stages of the investigation. The Principal Investigator (PI) will bring the scientific discovery process into his classroom, serving the national interest by promoting STEM education and improving the retention of members of underrepresented groups in STEM fields.Predictions from evolutionary models of pre-main sequence stars remain largely untested, especially for masses below that of the Sun. The investigation will characterize 15 young eclipsing binary systems observed by K2 (the repurposed Kepler mission) in the Upper Scorpius star-forming region, measuring masses, radii, luminosities, temperatures, and magnetic field strengths. The proposed program also will compare observed magnetic field strengths to the values required in new magnetized stellar evolutionary models. The PI will use upper-level undergraduate classes in stellar astrophysics to test new experiential learning techniques and as a gateway for recruiting students to become involved in this research, joined by summer interns recruited from underrepresented/underserved populations at other institutions. The on-campus research students will then serve the following year as peer mentors and role models.