Multiwavelength Observations of Flares on AD Leonis

Abstract

We report results from a multiwavelength observing campaign conducted during 2000 March on the flare star AD Leo. Simultaneous data were obtained from several ground- and space-based observatories, including observations of eight sizable flares. We discuss the correlation of line and continuum emission in the optical and ultraviolet wavelength regimes, as well as the flare energy budget, and we find that the emission properties are remarkably similar even for flares of very different evolutionary morphology. This suggests a common heating mechanism and atmospheric structure that are independent of the detailed evolution of individual flares. We also discuss the Neupert effect, chromospheric line broadening, and velocity fields observed in several transition region emission lines. The latter show significant downflows during and shortly after the flare impulsive phase. Our observations are broadly consistent with the solar model of chromospheric evaporation and condensation following impulsive heating by a flux of nonthermal electrons. These data place strong constraints on the next generation of radiative hydrodynamic models of stellar flares.