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Writing an abstract- does this meet the assessment criteria?

hypercolius

Hi,

I'm a 22-year old physics student with ASD. Making writing concise, 250-word abstracts with specific criteria an absolute nightmare. As well as me being only allowed to present this orally and not on a poster. 

I applied for two conferences this year with my research. One (BCUR 2025) accepted it, and so did the extremely competitive Posters in Parliament event. One (ICUR) did not. They sent me the abstract to review, which I did. It needs to meet the following criteria:

www.icurportal.com/.../

Here is my abstract and title. Do you think it meets the criteria? Would you find it interesting? 

Identifying Magnetic Activity Cycles in Sun-Like Stars: An Analysis of p-Mode Oscillations and Flares for Stellar Modeling, ‘Earth 2.0’ Candidate Selection, and Power Grid Protection 

"

Many stars, including our Sun, exhibit long-term variations in their magnetic fields, known as “magnetic activity cycles.” These cycles produce energetic flares, sometimes hurling hazardous jets of material into space, and influence the star’s natural sound waves (“p-mode” oscillations). Understanding how these fields arise remains a central question in astrophysics, yet the consequences of extreme flare events—entire cities losing power— can be felt at home. 

Our project therefore asks: do these cycles appear in underutilized data from star observations? How might they inform predictions of habitability or hazardous flares?

We studied 160 Sun-like stars, analyzing changes in p-mode frequencies and detecting flares, both key indicators of elevated magnetic activity. Nine stars revealed significant oscillation shifts, and a further 10% exhibited abundant flaring. One star simultaneously displayed p-mode variations and intense flares, a highly unexpected result since it is assumed that flares suppress p-modes. We also uncovered a possible link between these oscillations and brightness variability—a major finding if confirmed.​

By revealing how magnetic cycles manifest in stellar environments, such results can be used to evaluate exoplanet habitability—given flares can evaporate planetary atmospheres—and protect against threats to Earth’s infrastructure if a Carrington-scale event reoccurs. Such a flare might cause global power outages, potentially requiring years to restore. Studying these cycles helps mitigate these risks and refine understanding of how stellar magnetic fields are generated. This work opens paths for future research to expand on these findings, providing deeper insights into the magnetic activity cycles of Sun-like stars.

"

Parents

  • (My musings on reading the draft abstract - apologies in advance; if I have segued too far off topic).

    Picking up on "an analysis" ...

    Building upon Jiménez et al. (1988b) and then Libbrecht (1990); I wondered whether the observations of a possible link between these oscillations and brightness variability might necessitate some further comment on the future direction with regard to potential exploration / challenge associated with the interpretation (direction of travel / progress (or lack thereof) during the intervening 35 years since Libbrecht, increased likelihood due to modern / impending developments and capabilities etc.).

    Discussion - Libbrecht (1990):

    "While the observations of solar p-mode surface brightness
    oscillations are straightforward and not too difficult, the same
    cannot be said for their interpretation. This is because the
    brightness oscillations depend on the detailed way that radi-
    ative transfer is changed in the presence of the p-mode oscillations. Several such calculations have been attempted in the
    past, primarily to determine if the p-modes are linearly stable
    or overstable (see a review by Libbrecht 1988c and references
    therein). The results have unfortunately been very ambiguous,
    and the question of the linear stability of the p-modes remains
    without a satisfactory answer. The brightness/velocity power
    ratio will probably have to wait, along with other data like the
    measured mode linewidths, until a perfected treatment of the
    p-modes in the solar atmosphere can provide their detailed
    explanation."

    Jiménez, A., Pallé, P. L., Roca Cortés, T., Anderson, N. B., Domingo, V., Jones, A., Álvarez, M., and Ledezma, E. 1988b, in Seismology of the Sun and Sun-like Stars, ed. E. J. Rolfe (Noordwijk : ESA), p. 163.

    Title: Comparison of solar p-mode oscillations in surface brightness and velocity.  Authors: Libbrecht, K. G.  Journal: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 359, Aug. 10, 1990, p. 232-234.

    https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/1990ApJ...359..232L/ADS_PDF 

    ...must now be time for me to make myself a coffee!

Reply

  • (My musings on reading the draft abstract - apologies in advance; if I have segued too far off topic).

    Picking up on "an analysis" ...

    Building upon Jiménez et al. (1988b) and then Libbrecht (1990); I wondered whether the observations of a possible link between these oscillations and brightness variability might necessitate some further comment on the future direction with regard to potential exploration / challenge associated with the interpretation (direction of travel / progress (or lack thereof) during the intervening 35 years since Libbrecht, increased likelihood due to modern / impending developments and capabilities etc.).

    Discussion - Libbrecht (1990):

    "While the observations of solar p-mode surface brightness
    oscillations are straightforward and not too difficult, the same
    cannot be said for their interpretation. This is because the
    brightness oscillations depend on the detailed way that radi-
    ative transfer is changed in the presence of the p-mode oscillations. Several such calculations have been attempted in the
    past, primarily to determine if the p-modes are linearly stable
    or overstable (see a review by Libbrecht 1988c and references
    therein). The results have unfortunately been very ambiguous,
    and the question of the linear stability of the p-modes remains
    without a satisfactory answer. The brightness/velocity power
    ratio will probably have to wait, along with other data like the
    measured mode linewidths, until a perfected treatment of the
    p-modes in the solar atmosphere can provide their detailed
    explanation."

    Jiménez, A., Pallé, P. L., Roca Cortés, T., Anderson, N. B., Domingo, V., Jones, A., Álvarez, M., and Ledezma, E. 1988b, in Seismology of the Sun and Sun-like Stars, ed. E. J. Rolfe (Noordwijk : ESA), p. 163.

    Title: Comparison of solar p-mode oscillations in surface brightness and velocity.  Authors: Libbrecht, K. G.  Journal: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 359, Aug. 10, 1990, p. 232-234.

    https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/1990ApJ...359..232L/ADS_PDF 

    ...must now be time for me to make myself a coffee!

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