scholarly journals Magnetic Archaeology of Early-type Stellar Dynamos

2021 ◽  
Vol 923 (1) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Adam S. Jermyn ◽  
Matteo Cantiello

Abstract Early-type stars show a bimodal distribution of magnetic field strengths, with some showing very strong fields (≳1 kG) and others very weak fields (≲10 G). Recently, we proposed that this reflects the processing or lack thereof of fossil fields by subsurface convection zones. Stars with weak fossil fields process these at the surface into even weaker dynamo-generated fields, while in stars with stronger fossil fields magnetism inhibits convection, allowing the fossil field to remain as is. We now expand on this theory and explore the timescales involved in the evolution of near-surface magnetic fields. We find that mass loss strips near-surface regions faster than magnetic fields can diffuse through them. As a result, observations of surface magnetism directly probe the frozen-in remains of the convective dynamo. This explains the slow evolution of magnetism in stars with very weak fields: these dynamo-generated magnetic fields evolve on the timescale of the mass loss, not that of the dynamo.

1994 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 184-185
Author(s):  
A.E. Dudorov

Observational data of the last 10 years allow two main conclusions:a) Main sequence stars can be separated in two classes: - magnetic (Bp) stars with surface strengths of a dipole or quadrupole magnetic field of Bs ≈ n · (102 − 103) G, n = 2,3,4…7, and - normal main sequence stars (F-O) with magnetic fields Bs ≈ 1 − 100 G (< 300 G);b) Typical star formation takes place in interstellar molecular clouds with magnetic field strengths B ≈ 10-5 G (See Dudorov 1990).


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (18) ◽  
pp. eaba0513 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mittelholz ◽  
C. L. Johnson ◽  
J. M. Feinberg ◽  
B. Langlais ◽  
R. J. Phillips

The absence of crustal magnetic fields above the martian basins Hellas, Argyre, and Isidis is often interpreted as proof of an early, before 4.1 billion years (Ga) ago, or late, after 3.9 Ga ago, dynamo. We revisit these interpretations using new MAVEN magnetic field data. Weak fields are present over the 4.5-Ga old Borealis basin, with the transition to strong fields correlated with the basin edge. Magnetic fields, confined to a near-surface layer, are also detected above the 3.7-Ga old Lucus Planum. We conclude that a dynamo was present both before and after the formation of the basins Hellas, Utopia, Argyre, and Isidis. A long-lived, Earth-like dynamo is consistent with the absence of magnetization within large basins if the impacts excavated large portions of strongly magnetic crust and exposed deeper material with lower concentrations of magnetic minerals.


2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S259) ◽  
pp. 391-392
Author(s):  
James Silvester ◽  
C. Neiner ◽  
H. F. Henrichs ◽  
G. A. Wade ◽  
E. Alecian ◽  
...  

AbstractDiscoveries of magnetic fields in pulsating B and Be stars have been claimed from low-resolution spectropolarimetric observations with FORS1 at VLT. We used the new generation of high-resolution spectropolarimeters, ESPaDOnS at CFHT and NARVAL at TBL, to check for the existence of these fields. We find that most of the claimed magnetic stars do not host a magnetic field. This work shows the importance of a critical analysis of FORS1 data when searching for weak magnetic fields in early-type stars and the advantage of using ESPaDOnS and NARVAL to study such type of stars.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S305) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason H. Grunhut ◽  
Coralie Neiner

AbstractFor several decades we have been cognizant of the presence of magnetic fields in early-type stars, but our understanding of their magnetic properties has recently (over the last decade) expanded due to the new generation of high-resolution spectropolarimeters (ESPaDOnS at CFHT, Narval at TBL, HARPSpol at ESO). The most detailed surface magnetic field maps of intermediate-mass stars have been obtained through Doppler imaging techniques, allowing us to probe the small-scale structure of these stars. Thanks to the effort of large programmes (e.g. the MiMeS project), we have, for the first time, addressed key issues regarding our understanding of the magnetic properties of massive (M> 8M⊙) stars, whose magnetic fields were only first detected about fifteen years ago. In this proceedings article we review the spectropolarimetric observations and statistics derived in recent years that have formed our general understanding of stellar magnetism in early-type stars. We also discuss how these observations have furthered our understanding of the interactions between the magnetic field and stellar wind, as well as the consequences and connections of this interaction with other observed phenomena.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 160271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Braithwaite ◽  
Henk C. Spruit

We review the current state of knowledge of magnetic fields inside stars, concentrating on recent developments concerning magnetic fields in stably stratified (zones of) stars, leaving out convective dynamo theories and observations of convective envelopes. We include the observational properties of A, B and O-type main-sequence stars, which have radiative envelopes, and the fossil field model which is normally invoked to explain the strong fields sometimes seen in these stars. Observations seem to show that Ap-type stable fields are excluded in stars with convective envelopes. Most stars contain both radiative and convective zones, and there are potentially important effects arising from the interaction of magnetic fields at the boundaries between them; the solar cycle being one of the better known examples. Related to this, we discuss whether the Sun could harbour a magnetic field in its core. Recent developments regarding the various convective and radiative layers near the surfaces of early-type stars and their observational effects are examined. We look at possible dynamo mechanisms that run on differential rotation rather than convection. Finally, we turn to neutron stars with a discussion of the possible origins for their magnetic fields.


2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S256) ◽  
pp. 325-336
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Evans

AbstractThe past decade has witnessed impressive progress in our understanding of the physical properties of massive stars in the Magellanic Clouds, and how they compare to their cousins in the Galaxy. I summarise new results in this field, including evidence for reduced mass-loss rates and faster stellar rotational velocities in the Clouds, and their present-day compositions. I also discuss the stellar temperature scale, emphasizing its dependence on metallicity across the entire upper-part of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.


2006 ◽  
Vol 456 (3) ◽  
pp. 1131-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Mokiem ◽  
A. de Koter ◽  
C. J. Evans ◽  
J. Puls ◽  
S. J. Smartt ◽  
...  

1991 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 317-317
Author(s):  
R. K. Prinja ◽  
M. J. Barlow ◽  
I. D. Howarth

We argue that easily measured, reliable estimates of terminal velocities for early-type stars are provided (1) by the central velocity asymptotically approached by narrow absorption features in unsaturated UV P Cygni profiles, and (2) by the violet limit of zero residual intensity in saturated P Cygni profiles. We use these estimators and high resolution IUE data to determine terminal velocities, v∞, for 181 O stars, 70 early B supergiants, and 35 Wolf-Rayet stars. For OB stars our values are typically 15-20% smaller than the extreme violet edge velocities, vedge, while for WR stars v∞ = 0.76vedge on average. We give new mass-loss rates for WR stars which are thermal radio emitters, taking into account our new terminal velocities and recent revisions to estimates of distances and to the mean nuclear mass per electron. We examine the relationships between v∞, the surface escape velocities, and effective temperatures.


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