Inactive longitude and superflare in the active single-lined pre-main sequence binary V2279 Cyg

TL;DR

This study reveals active longitudes, magnetic structures, and a superflare in the young binary star V2279 Cyg, highlighting the influence of tidal forces on magnetic activity and star spot distribution in pre-main sequence systems.

Contribution

It provides the first identification of inactive flare longitudes and maps prominence structures in an active PMS binary, advancing understanding of magnetic field geometry and dynamo processes.

Findings

Active longitudes of star spots and flares identified

Detection of a superflare with energy 2.5 x 10^37 erg

Correlation between chromospheric activity and star spot distribution

Abstract

Young, solar-like stars in the pre-main sequence (PMS) stage exhibit vigorous magnetic activity that significantly influences their circumstellar environments and the processes of planetary formation and evolution. In binary systems, tidal forces and magnetic interactions can further shape the magnetic geometry. We report a longitudinal preference of star spots, chromospheric activities, and flares in the active single-lined spectroscopic PMS binary system V2279 Cyg, based on long-term photometric observations from \textit{Kepler} and \textit{TESS} alongside spectroscopic data from LAMOST. The system is classified as a weak-line T Tauri binary, with component masses estimated at 0.86 $M_\odot$ and 0.27 $M_\odot$. V2279 Cyg's nearly circular orbit is synchronized with its 4.126-day rotational period. Observations reveal large star spot regions clustered near the far-side hemisphere. Spectroscopic data show strong, double-peak H$\alpha$ emission, the strength of which is highly correlated with star spot distribution, indicating the presence of an active longitude on the primary star. We also mapped the prominence structure co-rotating with the primary star, suggesting a dense structure close to the near-side hemisphere. Furthermore, we identify an inactive longitude of flares during the 4-year \textit{Kepler} observations, where the frequency of flare activity is significantly reduced after the superior conjunction, marking the first such identification in active binary systems. Additionally, a white light superflare, releasing energy of $2.5 \times 10^{37}$ erg, was detected in \textit{TESS} observations. These findings provide valuable insights into the magnetic field geometry and dynamo processes in PMS binaries, underscoring the critical role of tidal interactions in shaping magnetic activities.