http://arxiv.org/abs/1706.07012
As part of a wider search for radio emission from nearby systems known or suspected to contain extrasolar planets $\epsilon$ Eridani was observed by the Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in the 2-4 GHz and 4-8 GHz frequency bands. In addition, as part of a separate survey of thermal emission from solar-like stars, $\epsilon$ Eri was observed in the 8-12 GHz and the 12-18 GHz bands of the VLA. Quasi-steady continuum radio emission from $\epsilon$ Eri was detected in the three high-frequency bands at levels ranging from approximately 55-83 $\mu$Jy. The emission in the 2-4 GHz emission is shown to be the result of a radio flare of a few minutes in duration that is up to 50% circularly polarized — no radio emission is detected following the flare. Both the K2V star and a possible Jupiter-like planet are considered as the source of the radio emission. While a planetary origin for the radio emission cannot be definitively ruled out, given that $\epsilon$ Eri is known to be a moderately active “young Sun”, we conclude that the observed radio emission likely originates from the star.
T. Bastian, J. Villadsen, A. Maps, et. al.
Thu, 22 Jun 17
17/68
Comments: 8 pages, 1 figure
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