Loop length and magnetic field estimates from oscillations detected during an X-ray flare on AT Mic

Abstract

We analyse oscillations observed in the X-ray light curve of the late-type star AT Mic. The oscillations occurred during flare maximum. We interpret these oscillations as density perturbations in the flare loop. Applying various models derived for the Sun, the loop length and the magnetic field of the flare can be estimated. We find a period of 740 s, and that the models give similar results (within a factor of 2) for the loop length (~5.4e10 cm) and the magnetic field (~100 G). For the first time, an oscillation of a stellar X-ray flare has been observed and results thus obtained for otherwise unobservable physical parameters.