Building a Large Solar Analog Sample Using K2

TL;DR

This study aims to compile a large, well-vetted sample of solar analogs using K2 photometry and ground-based data to analyze stellar rotation, activity, and related phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a new method of selecting and vetting solar analogs using K2 data combined with ground-based observations for comprehensive stellar analysis.

Findings

Precise rotation periods derived for solar analogs

Analysis of star spot coverage and flare activity

Establishment of a well-calibrated solar analog sample

Abstract

We have begun a project aimed at providing a large consistent set of well-vetted solar analogs in order to address questions of stellar rotation, activity, dynamos, and gyrochronology. We make use of the K2 mission fields to obtain precise photometric time series, supplemented by ground-based photometric and spectroscopic data for promising candidates. From this data we will derive rotation periods, spot coverages, and flare rates for a well-defined and well-calibrated sample of solar analogs.