Lyman-alpha observations of astrospheres

2014/08/25 by Jeffrey L. Linsky, Linsky, Jeffrey L., Brian E. Wood +1 · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #FOS: Physical sciences #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1408.5934

openalex publication_date 2014/08/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Charge-exchange reactions between outflowing stellar wind protons and interstellar neutral hydrogen atoms entering a stellar astrosphere produce a region of piled-up-decelerated neutral hydrogen called the hydrogen wall. Absorption by this gas, which is observed in stellar Lyman-alpha emission lines, provides the only viable technique at this time for measuring the mass-loss rates of F-M dwarf stars. We describe this technique, present an alternative way for understanding the relation of mass-loss rate with X-ray emission, and identify several critical issues.

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