BRI 0021-0214: Another Surprise at the Bottom of the Main Sequence

Abstract

We report the detection of an Halpha flare on the low-luminosity M9.5 dwarf BRI 0021-0214. This star has rapid rotation, vsin&parl0;i&parr0; approximately 40 km s-1, but generally shows no significant chromospheric emission. Our detection of the flare shows that a magnetic field is present, although the level of activity at maximum is 3 times lower than the mean quiescent level in early- and mid-type M dwarfs. Based on data available in the literature, we estimate that the star is in outburst for no more than 7% of the time.