Variability Among Stars in the M 67 Field from Kepler/K2-Campaign-5 Light Curves

TL;DR

This study analyzes the photometric variability and rotation periods of stars in the M 67 cluster using Kepler/K2 data, providing insights into stellar ages and variability differences among star types.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed variability and rotation period analysis of M 67 stars using Kepler/K2 data, linking periods to gyro-ages and comparing variability between single and binary stars.

Findings

Mean rotation period of 23.4 days for Sun-like stars

Gyro-age estimate of 3.7 Gyr for M 67

Single stars show higher variability than the Sun

Abstract

We examine the photometric variability of stars in the M 67 field using Kepler/K2-Campaign-5 light curves. Variabilities and periods were determined for 639 stars. The mean photometric period of 28 single Sun-like members stars in M 67 is 23.4 +/- 1.2 d. This corresponds to a gyro-age of 3.7 +/- 0.3 Gyr, assuming the periods can be associated with rotation. The intrinsic variabilities of the solar analogs are greater than the Sun's variability, as measure from VIRGO fluxes. We also find evidence that the single cluster members have a different distribution of variability than the binary members.