arXiv subjects

Claire L. Davies

Publications and source records attributed to Claire L. Davies.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

The coronal evolution of pre-main-sequence stars

The bulk of X-ray emission from pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars is coronal in origin. We demonstrate herein that stars on Henyey tracks in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram have lower $\log(L_X/L_\ast)$, on average, than stars on Hayashi tracks. This effect is driven by the decay of $L_X$ once stars develop radiative cores. $L_X$ decays faster with age for intermediate mass PMS stars, the progenitors of main sequence A-type stars, compared to those of lower mass. As almost all main sequence A-type stars show no detectable X-ray emission, we may already be observing the loss of their coronae during their PMS evolution. Although there is no direct link between the size or mass of the radiative core and $L_X$, the longer stars have spent with partially convective interiors, the weaker their X-ray emission becomes. This conference paper is a synopsis of Gregory, Adams and Davies (2016).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

The influence of radiative core growth on coronal X-ray emission from pre-main sequence stars

Pre-main sequence (PMS) stars of mass $\gtrsim0.35\,{\rm M}_\odot$ transition from hosting fully convective interiors to configurations with a radiative core and outer convective envelope during their gravitational contraction. This stellar structure change influences the external magnetic field topology and, as we demonstrate herein, affects the coronal X-ray emission as a stellar analog of the solar tachocline develops. We have combined archival X-ray, spectroscopic, and photometric data for $\sim$1000 PMS stars from five of the best studied star forming regions; the ONC, NGC 2264, IC 348, NGC 2362, and NGC 6530. Using a modern, PMS calibrated, spectral type-to-effective temperature and intrinsic colour scale, we deredden the photometry using colours appropriate for each spectral type, and determine the stellar mass, age, and internal structure consistently for the entire sample. We find that PMS stars on Henyey tracks have, on average, lower fractional X-ray luminosities ($L_{\rm X}/L_\ast$) than those on Hayashi tracks, where this effect is driven by changes in $L_{\rm X}$. X-ray emission decays faster with age for higher mass PMS stars. There is a strong correlation between $L_\ast$ and $L_{\rm X}$ for Hayashi track stars but no correlation for Henyey track stars. There is no correlation between $L_{\rm X}$ and radiative core mass or radius. However, the longer stars have spent with radiative cores, the less X-ray luminous they become. The decay of coronal X-ray emission from young early K to late G-type PMS stars, the progenitors of main sequence A-type stars, is consistent with the dearth of X-ray detections of the latter.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Accretion discs as regulators of stellar angular momentum evolution in the ONC and Taurus-Auriga

In light of recent substantial updates to spectral type estimations and newly established intrinsic colours, effective temperatures, and bolometric corrections for pre-main sequence (PMS) stars, we re-address the theory of accretion-disc regulated stellar angular momentum (AM) evolution. We report on the compilation of a consistent sample of fully convective stars within two of the most well-studied and youngest, nearby regions of star formation: the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC) and Taurus-Auriga. We calculate the average specific stellar AM ($j_{\star}$) assuming solid body rotation, using surface rotation periods gathered from the literature and new estimates of stellar radii and ages. We use published Spitzer IRAC fluxes to classify our stars as Class II or Class III and compare their $j_{\star}$ evolution. Our results suggest that disc dispersal is a rapid process that occurs at a variety of ages. We find a consistent $j_{\star}$ reduction rate between the Class II and Class III PMS stars which we interpret as indicating a period of accretion disc-regulated AM evolution followed by near-constant AM evolution once the disc has dissipated. Furthermore, assuming our observed spread in stellar ages is real, we find the removal rate of $j_{\star}$ during the Class II phase is more rapid than expected by contraction at constant stellar rotation rate. A much more efficient process of AM removal must exist, most likely in the form of an accretion-driven stellar wind or other outflow from the star-disc interaction region or extended disc surface.

astro-ph.SR↗