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Paper: Characterization of High-Energy Emissions of GKM Stars using Wide Binaries with White Dwarfs
Volume: 448, 16th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun
Page: 139
Authors: Catalán, S.; Garcés, A.; Ribas, I.
Abstract: The definition of an age calibration for main-sequence late-type stars has multiple applications, e.g., in the fields of galactic evolution, stellar dynamos, theories of angular momentum loss and planetary atmospheres. In the latter, the characterization of the time-evolution of stellar high-energy emissions can help us understand the influence on planetary atmospheres and their potential habitability. A key element for this characterization is a reliable age determination. For this purpose we have studied a sample of late G, K, and M stars. To cover the age window up to 0.7 Gyr we have used stars belonging to open clusters, while for ages above this limit we use wide binaries containing white dwarfs. Since the evolution of white dwarfs can be understood as a cooling process, which is relatively well known at the moment, we can use them as age calibrators. Wide binary members are supposed to have been born simultaneously and with the same chemical composition. Since they are well separated (100-1000 AU aprox.) we can assume that no interaction has occurred between them in the past and they have evolved as single stars. So, from the white dwarf age we can infer the age of the system. We present our current results based in a sample of 30 binaries from the NLTT catalogue comprised by a DA white dwarf (showing only H absorption lines) and a G, K or M star.
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