Nancy A. Levenson
Science Highlights
A diverse collection of scientific results were published with Gemini data
in 2013. These highlights provide a sample of the types of cutting-edge
science our users are doing.
In this current issue, Science Highlights reports on the most powerful
flare ever observed on an L dwarf, spiral patterns in a protoplanetary
disk, and the properties of galaxies in intermediate-mass clusters.
January 2014
The Most Powerful Flare ever Observed on an L Dwarf
Astronomers used the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph on Gemini North to capture the
most powerful flare ever observed on an L dwarf. At its peak, the brightness of the Jupitersized source increases by a factor of three, with a total flare energy output of 1.6 x 1032 ergs.
The team suggests that similar flares may be common in
this class of substellar objects,
occurring once or twice per
month. The Gemini data also
provided the L1 spectral type
of the brown dwarf, named
WISE J190648.47+401106.8 for
its discovery using NASA’s WISE
satellite, or W1906+40 for short.
Figure 1.
Gemini spectrum
of W1906+40, in its
quiescent state (black)
and during a strong
flare (blue). In addition
to the overall increase
in luminosity, the Ha
emission appears broad
and the overall spectral
shape corresponds to
higher temperatures
during the flare.
(The spectra are not
corrected for the effects
of Earth’s atmosphere.)
John Gizis (University of Delaware) and collaborators have
been observing W1906+40 using the Kepler satellite and a
variety of ground-based facilities. The long-term (15-month)
January2014 2013 Year in Review
GeminiFocus
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