The rotation–activity relation of M dwarfs: From K2 to TESS and PLATO. Issue 5 (25th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raetz, Stefanie; Stelzer, Beate; Scholz, Alexander
• Other Names: Barnes S.A. guestEditor.; Steffen M. guestEditor.; Strassmeier K.G. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Astronomische Nachrichten. Volume 341:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 519
• Page End: 556
• Publication Date: 2020-06-25
• Subjects: stars: late‐type – stars: activity – stars: rotation – stars: flare; Astronomy -- Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1002/asna.202013727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0004-6337

Abstract

Abstract: Studies of the rotation–activity relation of late‐type stars are essential to enhance our understanding of stellar dynamos and angular momentum evolution. We study the rotation–activity relation with K2 for M dwarfs, where it is especially poorly understood. We analyzed the light curves of all bright and nearby M dwarfs form the Superblink proper motion catalog that were in the K2 field of view. Using a sample of 430 M dwarfs observed in campaigns C0–C19 in long‐cadence mode, we determined the rotation period and a wealth of activity diagnostics. Our study of the rotation–activity relation based on photometric activity indicators confirmed the previously published abrupt change of the activity level at a rotation period of ∼10 days. Our sample, which is more than three times larger, increases the statistical significance of this finding.