scholarly journals Measuring T Tauri star magnetic fields

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S259) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Johns–Krull
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Dipole Component ◽  
Stellar Magnetic Fields

AbstractStellar magnetic fields including a strong dipole component are believed to play a critical role in the early evolution of newly formed stars and their circumstellar accretion disks. It is currently believed that the stellar magnetic field truncates the accretion disk several stellar radii above the star. This action forces accreting material to flow along the field lines and accrete onto the star preferentially at high stellar latitudes. It is also thought that the stellar rotation rate becomes locked to the Keplerian velocity near the radius where the disk is truncated. This paper reviews recent efforts to measure the magnetic field properties of low mass pre-main sequence stars, focussing on how the observations compare with the theoretical expectations. A picture is emerging indicating that quite strong fields do indeed cover the majority of the surface on these stars; however, the dipole component of the field appears to be alarmingly small. The current measurements also suggest that given their strong magnetic fields, T Tauri stars are somewhat faint in X-rays relative to what is expected from simple main sequence star scaling laws.

scholarly journals Measurements of magnetic fields on T Tauri stars

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S243) ◽  
pp. 31-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Johns–Krull
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Dipole Component ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Stellar Magnetic Fields ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractStellar magnetic fields including a strong dipole component are believed to play a critical role in the early evolution of newly formed stars and their circumstellar accretion disks. It is currently believed that the stellar magnetic field truncates the accretion disk several stellar radii above the star. This action forces accreting material to flow along the field lines and accrete onto the star preferentially at high stellar latitudes. It is also thought that the stellar rotation rate becomes locked to the Keplerian velocity near the radius where the disk is truncated. This paper reviews recent efforts to measure the magnetic field properties of low mass pre-main sequence stars, focussing on how the observations compare with the theoretical expectations. A picture is emerging indicating that quite strong fields do indeed cover the majority of the surface on these stars; however, the dipole component of the field appears to be alarmingly small. On the other hand, at least one accretion model which takes into account the non-dipole nature of the magnetic field provides predictions relating various stellar and accretion parameters which are present in the current data.

scholarly journals The Evolution of Surface Magnetic Fields in Young Solar-type Stars

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (S314) ◽  
pp. 113-116
Author(s):  
Colin P. Folsom ◽  
Pascal Petit ◽  
Jérôme Bouvier ◽  
Julien Morin ◽  
Agnès Lèbre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Doppler Imaging ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Open Clusters And Associations ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
First Results ◽  
Solar Type ◽  
Stellar Magnetic Fields

AbstractSurface rotation rates of young solar-type stars display drastic changes at the end of the pre-main sequence through the early main sequence. This may trigger corresponding changes in the magnetic dynamos operating in these stars, which ought to be observable in their surface magnetic fields. We present here the first results of an observational effort aimed at characterizing the evolution of stellar magnetic fields through this critical phase. We observed stars from open clusters and associations, which range from 20 to 600 Myr, and used Zeeman Doppler Imaging to characterize their complex magnetic fields. We find a clear trend towards weaker magnetic fields for older ages, as well as a tight correlation between magnetic field strength and Rossby number over this age range. Comparing to results for younger T Tauri stars, we observe a very significant change in magnetic strength and geometry, as the radiative core develops during the late pre-main sequence.

scholarly journals SpS1-Measuring magnetic fields on young stars

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 524-524
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Johns-Krull ◽  
Jeff A. Valenti
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Circumstellar Disk ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Disk Material ◽  
Optical Wavelengths ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Cloud Material

T Tauri stars (TTSs) are young (~few Myr) late type stars that have only recently emerged from their natal molecular cloud material to become visible at optical wavelengths. It is now generally accepted that accretion of circumstellar disk material onto the surface of a TTS is controlled by a strong stellar magnetic field (e.g. see review by Bouvier et al. 2007). The stellar field appears critical for explaining the rotational properties of TTSs (Bouvier et al. 2007, Herbst et al. 2007) and may also play a critical role in driving the outflows seen from many of these sources (e.g. Shang et al. 2007, Mohanty & Shu 2008). As a result, there is a great deal of interest in measuring the magnetic field properties of TTSs (e.g. Johns–Krull 2007, Donati et al. 2008). In particular, disk locking theories predict that an equilibrium is established where the disk is trunctated at or close to corotation and the stellar rotation rate depends only on the (assumed) dipolar magnetic field strength, the stellar mass, radius, and the mass accretion rate in the disk (see Bouvier et al. 2007).

scholarly journals A Multiline Method to Determine Stellar Magnetic Fields

1993 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 196-198
Author(s):  
Pilar Rípodas ◽  
Manuel Collados ◽  
Jorge Sánchez Almeida ◽  
Ramón J. García López
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
The Past ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Statistical Sense ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Stellar Magnetic Fields ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Atomic Parameters

In the past, much effort has been devoted to determine stellar magnetic fields by means of the analysis of two spectral lines with different magnetic sensitivities (see, e.g., Robinson, 1980; Saar, 1988; Basri and Marcy, 1988). However, these methods are largely influenced by the uncertainties caused by, for instance, the presence of blends, uncertainties of atomic parameters, etc. Gray (1984) and, more recently, Basri et al. (1992) used a multiline analysis to measure stellar magnetic fields, reducing the importance of those uncertainties, thus increasing, in a statistical sense, the confidence of the results.Here we present a new method based on the analysis of the equivalent widths of many Fe I spectral lines. The central idea is to obtain information on the magnetic field from the magnetic strengthening of the equivalent width of spectral lines. This technique has been applied to a weak-emission-line T Tauri star (TAP35) and a main sequence star (ξ Boo A), using data published by Basri et al., (1992).

Emergence of Twisted Magnetic Flux Related Sigmoidal Brightening

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 263-264
Author(s):  
K. Sundara Raman ◽  
K. B. Ramesh ◽  
R. Selvendran ◽  
P. S. M. Aleem ◽  
K. M. Hiremath
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
Energy Storage And Conversion ◽  
The Sun ◽  
X Rays ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Extended AbstractWe have examined the morphological properties of a sigmoid associated with an SXR (soft X-ray) flare. The sigmoid is cospatial with the EUV (extreme ultra violet) images and in the optical part lies along an S-shaped Hαfilament. The photoheliogram shows flux emergence within an existingδtype sunspot which has caused the rotation of the umbrae giving rise to the sigmoidal brightening.It is now widely accepted that flares derive their energy from the magnetic fields of the active regions and coronal levels are considered to be the flare sites. But still a satisfactory understanding of the flare processes has not been achieved because of the difficulties encountered to predict and estimate the probability of flare eruptions. The convection flows and vortices below the photosphere transport and concentrate magnetic field, which subsequently appear as active regions in the photosphere (Rust & Kumar 1994 and the references therein). Successive emergence of magnetic flux, twist the field, creating flare productive magnetic shear and has been studied by many authors (Sundara Ramanet al.1998 and the references therein). Hence, it is considered that the flare is powered by the energy stored in the twisted magnetic flux tubes (Kurokawa 1996 and the references therein). Rust & Kumar (1996) named the S-shaped bright coronal loops that appear in soft X-rays as ‘Sigmoids’ and concluded that this S-shaped distortion is due to the twist developed in the magnetic field lines. These transient sigmoidal features tell a great deal about unstable coronal magnetic fields, as these regions are more likely to be eruptive (Canfieldet al.1999). As the magnetic fields of the active regions are deep rooted in the Sun, the twist developed in the subphotospheric flux tube penetrates the photosphere and extends in to the corona. Thus, it is essentially favourable for the subphotospheric twist to unwind the twist and transmit it through the photosphere to the corona. Therefore, it becomes essential to make complete observational descriptions of a flare from the magnetic field changes that are taking place in different atmospheric levels of the Sun, to pin down the energy storage and conversion process that trigger the flare phenomena.

scholarly journals Planetary Magnetic Fields and Habitability in Super Earths

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Cuartas-Restrepo
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Thermal Evolution ◽  
Solid Core ◽  
Direct Influence ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Planetary Magnetic Fields ◽  
Planetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Planetary Dynamos

Abstract This work seeks to summarize some special aspects of a type of exoplanets known as super-Earths (SE), and the direct influence of these aspects in their habitability. Physical processes like the internal thermal evolution and the generation of a protective Planetary Magnetic Field (PMF) are directly related with habitability. Other aspects such as rotation and the formation of a solid core are fundamental when analyzing the possibilities that a SE would have to be habitable. This work analyzes the fundamental theoretical aspects on which the models of thermal evolution and the scaling laws of the planetary dynamos are based. These theoretical aspects allow to develop models of the magnetic evolution of the planets and the role played by the PMF in the protection of the atmosphere and the habitability of the planet.

scholarly journals Infrared Measurements of Stellar Magnetic Fields

1994 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
pp. 437-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven H. Saar
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Pressure Support ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Rotation Rates ◽  
Infrared Measurements ◽  
Cool Stars ◽  
Rs Cvn Variables ◽  
Stellar Magnetic Fields

I review the advantages, techniques, and results of measurement of magnetic fields on cool stars in the infrared (IR). These measurements have generated several important results, including the following: the first data on the magnetic parameters of dMe and RS CVn variables; evidence for field strength confinement by photospheric gas pressure; support for the correlation between magnetic flux and rotation, with possible saturation at high rotation rates; indications of horizontal and/or vertical magnetic field structure; and evidence of spatial variations in B over a stellar surface. I discuss these results in detail, and suggest future directions for IR magnetic field research.

scholarly journals Flux expulsion with dynamics

2016 ◽  
Vol 791 ◽  
pp. 568-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Gilbert ◽  
Joanne Mason ◽  
Steven M. Tobias
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Lorentz Force ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Dynamical Regime ◽  
Kinematic Evolution ◽  
Flux Expulsion ◽  
The Magnetic Field

In the process of flux expulsion, a magnetic field is expelled from a region of closed streamlines on a $TR_{m}^{1/3}$ time scale, for magnetic Reynolds number $R_{m}\gg 1$ ($T$ being the turnover time of the flow). This classic result applies in the kinematic regime where the flow field is specified independently of the magnetic field. A weak magnetic ‘core’ is left at the centre of a closed region of streamlines, and this decays exponentially on the $TR_{m}^{1/2}$ time scale. The present paper extends these results to the dynamical regime, where there is competition between the process of flux expulsion and the Lorentz force, which suppresses the differential rotation. This competition is studied using a quasi-linear model in which the flow is constrained to be axisymmetric. The magnetic Prandtl number $R_{m}/R_{e}$ is taken to be small, with $R_{m}$ large, and a range of initial field strengths $b_{0}$ is considered. Two scaling laws are proposed and confirmed numerically. For initial magnetic fields below the threshold $b_{core}=O(UR_{m}^{-1/3})$, flux expulsion operates despite the Lorentz force, cutting through field lines to result in the formation of a central core of magnetic field. Here $U$ is a velocity scale of the flow and magnetic fields are measured in Alfvén units. For larger initial fields the Lorentz force is dominant and the flow creates Alfvén waves that propagate away. The second threshold is $b_{dynam}=O(UR_{m}^{-3/4})$, below which the field follows the kinematic evolution and decays rapidly. Between these two thresholds the magnetic field is strong enough to suppress differential rotation, leaving a magnetically controlled core spinning in solid body motion, which then decays slowly on a time scale of order $TR_{m}$.

scholarly journals Investigating the Magnetospheres of Rapidly Rotating B-type Stars

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S329) ◽  
pp. 369-372
Author(s):  
C. L. Fletcher ◽  
V. Petit ◽  
Y. Nazé ◽  
G. A. Wade ◽  
R. H. Townsend ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Centrifugal Force ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Closed Field ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Rapid Rotation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Surface Magnetic Field

AbstractRecent spectropolarimetric surveys of bright, hot stars have found that ~10% of OB-type stars contain strong (mostly dipolar) surface magnetic fields (~kG). The prominent paradigm describing the interaction between the stellar winds and the surface magnetic field is the magnetically confined wind shock (MCWS) model. In this model, the stellar wind plasma is forced to move along the closed field loops of the magnetic field, colliding at the magnetic equator, and creating a shock. As the shocked material cools radiatively it will emit X-rays. Therefore, X-ray spectroscopy is a key tool in detecting and characterizing the hot wind material confined by the magnetic fields of these stars. Some B-type stars are found to have very short rotational periods. The effects of the rapid rotation on the X-ray production within the magnetosphere have yet to be explored in detail. The added centrifugal force due to rapid rotation is predicted to cause faster wind outflows along the field lines, leading to higher shock temperatures and harder X-rays. However, this is not observed in all rapidly rotating magnetic B-type stars. In order to address this from a theoretical point of view, we use the X-ray Analytical Dynamical Magnetosphere (XADM) model, originally developed for slow rotators, with an implementation of new rapid rotational physics. Using X-ray spectroscopy from ESA’s XMM-Newton space telescope, we observed 5 rapidly rotating B-types stars to add to the previous list of observations. Comparing the observed X-ray luminosity and hardness ratio to that predicted by the XADM allows us to determine the role the added centrifugal force plays in the magnetospheric X-ray emission of these stars.

scholarly journals Updated X-ray view of the Hyades cluster

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. A66 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Freund ◽  
J. Robrade ◽  
P. C. Schneider ◽  
J. H. M. M. Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Rotation Periods ◽  
Hyades Cluster ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Tidal Tails

Aims. We revisit the X-ray properties of the main sequence Hyades members and the relation between X-ray emission and stellar rotation. Methods. As an input catalog for Hyades members, we combined three recent Hyades membership lists derived from Gaia DR2 data that include the Hyades core and its tidal tails. We searched for X-ray detections of the main sequence Hyades members in the ROSAT all-sky survey, and pointings from ROSAT, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and XMM-Newton. Furthermore, we adopted rotation periods derived from Kepler’s K2 mission and other resources. Results. We find an X-ray detection for 281 of 1066 bona fide main sequence Hyades members and provide statistical upper limits for the undetected sources. The majority of the X-ray detected stars are located in the Hyades core because of its generally smaller distance to the Sun. F- and G-type stars have the highest detection fraction (72%), while K- and M-type dwarfs have lower detection rates (22%). The X-ray luminosities of the detected members range from ∼2 × 1027 erg s−1 for late M-type dwarfs to ∼2 × 1030 erg s−1 for active binaries. The X-ray luminosity distribution functions formally differ for the members in the core and tidal tails, which is likely caused by a larger fraction of field stars in our Hyades tails sample. Compared to previous studies, our sample is slightly fainter in X-rays due to differences in the Hyades membership list used; furthermore, we extend the X-ray luminosity distribution to fainter luminosities. The X-ray activity of F- and G-type stars is well defined at FX/Fbol ≈ 10−5. The fractional X-ray luminosity and its spread increases to later spectral types reaching the saturation limit (FX/Fbol ≈ 10−3) for members later than spectral type M3. Confirming previous results, the X-ray flux varies by less than a factor of three between epochs for the 104 Hyades members with multiple epoch data, significantly less than expected from solar-like activity cycles. Rotation periods are found for 204 Hyades members, with about half of them being detected in X-rays. The activity-rotation relation derived for the coeval Hyades members has properties very similar to those obtained by other authors investigating stars of different ages.

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