On the acoustic flux of Sirius A

Acoustic fluxes generated in the superficial convection zones of lower main-sequence stars are estimated. The results are shown to be very sensitive to the assumed convective efficiency of the mixing-length theory. In the case of Sirius A, the uncertainties actually bracket the minimum acoustic flux needed to heat a corona. Models of Sirius A that are both consistent with this minimum flux and the Am nature of its spectral type can be obtained. It is suggested that the recent Einstein soft X-ray detection of Sirius A could possibly be explained in terms of emission from an acoustically-heated corona surrounding that star. Other main-sequence stars could also generate more acoustic energy than is generally believed.