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研究其他恒星周围行星的新方法，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绕轨道运行的成对恒星来检验。 它们的轨道速度揭示了恒星的质量，而当它们相互遮蔽时产生的变暗揭示了它们的大小。 该小组将研究一个非常年轻的食星星系统的大样本，以测量基本的恒星属性。 本科生将参与调查的各个阶段。 首席研究员（PI）将把科学发现过程带入他的课堂，通过促进STEM教育和提高STEM领域代表性不足的群体成员的保留率来服务于国家利益。来自主序前恒星演化模型的预测在很大程度上仍然未经检验，特别是对于质量低于太阳的恒星。 这项调查将描述K2（重新设计的开普勒使命）在上天蝎座恒星形成区域观察到的15个年轻的食双星系统，测量质量，半径，光度，温度和磁场强度。 该计划还将把观测到的磁场强度与新的磁化恒星演化模型所需的值进行比较。 PI将使用恒星天体物理学的高级本科课程来测试新的体验式学习技术，并作为招募学生参与这项研究的门户，并加入从其他机构代表性不足/服务不足的人群中招募的暑期实习生。 校内研究生将在接下来的一年里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.