White-Light Continuum in Stellar Flares

Abstract

In this talk, we discuss the formation of the near-ultraviolet and optical continuum emission in M dwarf flares through the formation of a dense, heated chromospheric condensation. Results are used from a recent radiative-hydrodynamic model of the response of an M dwarf atmosphere to a high energy flux of nonthermal electrons. These models are used to infer the charge density and optical depth in continuum emitting flare layers from spectra covering the Balmer jump and optical wavelength regimes. Future modeling and observational directions are discussed.