Open AccessX-Ray Chronicles of Alpha Centauri: The Swooning of α Cen B
Author(s) -
T. R. Ayres
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
research notes of the aas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2515-5172
DOI - 10.3847/2515-5172/ac5114
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , observatory , astronomy , h alpha , spectral line , emission spectrum
The central AB binary of Alpha Centauri has been visited regularly by Chandra X-ray Observatory since late 2005. Up to mid-2020, the B component, an early K dwarf, had traced out a relatively smooth 8 yr coronal ( T ∼ 2 MK) activity cycle. Recently, however, B’s X-ray count rate suddenly dipped, from cycle maximum levels to near minimum in just 16 months. Previous cycle decays were 3–4 yr. The significance of the swoon remains to be seen.