Science with a small two-band UV-photometry mission II: Observations of stars and stellar systems

TL;DR

A small two-band UV-photometry satellite could significantly advance stellar physics, exoplanet research, and interstellar medium studies by providing crucial UV data across various astrophysical phenomena.

Contribution

This paper discusses the scientific potential and specific mission requirements of a small two-band UV-photometry satellite for diverse astrophysical applications.

Findings

Enables study of stellar activity in both hot and cool stars.

Facilitates detection of eclipses caused by dusty objects and exoplanets.

Provides insights into neutron star cooling and interstellar dust properties.

Abstract

We outline the impact of a small two-band UV-photometry satellite mission on the field of stellar physics, magnetospheres of stars, binaries, stellar clusters, interstellar matter, and exoplanets. On specific examples of different types of stars and stellar systems, we discuss particular requirements for such satellite missions in terms of specific mission parameters such as bandpass, precision, cadence, and mission duration. We show that such a mission may provide crucial data not only for hot stars that emit most of their light in UV, but also for cool stars, where UV traces their activity. This is important, for instance, for exoplanetary studies, because the level of stellar activity influences habitability. While the main asset of the two-band UV mission rests in time-domain astronomy, an example of open clusters proves that such a mission would be important also for the study of stellar populations. Properties of the interstellar dust are best explored when combining optical and IR information with observations in UV. It is well known that dust absorbs UV radiation efficiently. Consequently, we outline how such a UV mission can be used to detect eclipses of sufficiently hot stars by various dusty objects and study disks, rings, clouds, disintegrating exoplanets or exoasteroids. Furthermore, UV radiation can be used to study the cooling of neutron stars providing information about the extreme states of matter in the interiors of neutron stars and used for mapping heated spots on their surfaces.