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SUMMARY: Radio observations of exoplanets and their host stars - Alex Wols
 zczan (Penn State University\, Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds)
DTSTART:20160614T150000Z
DTEND:20160614T160000Z
UID:TALK66591@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Greg Willatt
DESCRIPTION:A possibility to detect non-thermal radio emission from exopla
 nets offers a unique\,  direct way to measure their magnetic fields. For e
 xample\, time-frequency mapping of radio flares generated by the cyclotron
  maser mechanism would help constraining the planet’s magnetic field top
 ology and origins.  Because planetary magnetic fields \nmitigate the effec
 ts of stellar winds and flares\, detecting and characterizing them would o
 bviously inform the investigations of planetary habitability. Similarly\, 
  radio characterization of the activity of low-mass stars\, in addition to
  assessing their UV and X-ray emission\, represents an important aid in co
 nstraining habitability of any \nclose-in planets around them. This is ess
 ential in view of the rapid development of large searches for terrestrial-
 mass planets around M-dwarf stars. \n\nI will discuss the ongoing Arecibo 
 programs to detect flaring radio emission from the coolest brown dwarfs an
 d giant exoplanets\, and to monitor radio activity of M-dwarf targets of t
 he upcoming near-infrared\, Habitable Planet Finder survey with the Hobby-
 Eberly Telescope. In particular\,  I will present the most recent detectio
 ns of \nflares from two T-type brown dwarfs\, which suggest that the same 
 should be possible for hot\, young exoplanets such as the relatively nearb
 y HR8799 system. I will also discuss the results of one year long monitori
 ng of an M9-star\, TVLM 513-46546\, used as a proxy for the design of our 
 M-dwarf monitoring project. 
LOCATION:Sackler Lecture Theatre\, Institute of Astronomy
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