Polarization of Flare Stars and of Young Solar-type Stars
Wen-Ping Chen (National Central University)
Stellar magnetism arises from a yet-to-clarify dynamo process in rotating, convective interior. Late-type stars, particularly cool M dwarfs, are known to be magnetically active, more so at youth, prone to produce flares similar to the solar prominences as field lines reconnect, with a burst intensity rivalling to the entire photospheric brightness. The summer student will work with the optical data, both in photometry and in photopolarimetry, already collected from various telescopes to derive the flare profile to diagnose the heating and cooling mechanisms. Basic knowledge of stellar physics, and computer coding skills regarding time-series data are required.
Another project is on sunlike young stars, aka T Tauri stars, for which clumpy circumstellar dust may account for their linear polarization. Optical imaging polarimetry has been measured for dozens of T Tauri stars. The summer student will analyze complementary data, such as infrared color excess, to substantiate the polarization results. Basic knowledge of stellar physics and statistical correlation analysis is needed.