What the study found
PM J11183+1347 shows strong magnetic activity, rotational modulation, and frequent flaring in TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) observations. The star is an active flaring M dwarf, also called a dMe star, and the study reports periods from 4.59 to 6.34 days, likely linked to differential rotation and evolving starspots.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the variability in spot-induced modulation across sectors supports the star’s magnetically active nature. They also suggest that the flare pattern and flare frequency distribution are typical of convective M dwarfs, where much of the total energy comes from high-energy flares.
What the researchers tested
The researchers analyzed high-cadence TESS light curves from four sectors for PM J11183+1347, a star at 24.8 pc with spectral type M2.5–M3. They examined rotational modulation, flare properties, flare energies, flare durations, and the flare frequency distribution.
What worked and what didn't
A total of 21 flare events were detected. Their bolometric energies ranged from 1.59 × 10^32 to 1.05 × 10^34 erg, and their durations ranged from 15 to 455 minutes. The flares included classical single-peaked flares, complex multipeaked flares, and peak-bump structures; several superflares above 10^33 erg were also found. The flare frequency distribution followed a power law with index α = 1.57 ± 0.18, and flare duration and energy were strongly correlated at about 0.96, which the authors link to magnetic reconnection as the dominant mechanism.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe limitations beyond the four TESS sectors analyzed. The interpretations about differential rotation, evolving starspots, sympathetic flaring or multiloop reconnection, and magnetic reconnection are presented as the authors’ explanations for the observed patterns.
Key points
- PM J11183+1347 showed strong magnetic activity and rotational modulation in TESS light curves.
- The study detected 21 flares with energies from 1.59 × 10^32 to 1.05 × 10^34 erg.
- Observed flare durations ranged from 15 to 455 minutes.
- The flare frequency distribution followed a power law with index α = 1.57 ± 0.18.
- Flare duration and energy were strongly correlated, with a correlation of about 0.96.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- TESS observations show frequent flaring and magnetic activity in PM J11183+1347
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-02
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by NASA Hubble Space Telescope on Unsplash · Unsplash License
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