Magnetic field and chromospheric activity evolution of HD 75332: a rapid magnetic cycle in an F star without a hot Jupiter

Studying cool star magnetic activity gives an important insight into the stellar dynamo and its relationship with stellar properties, as well as allowing us to place the Sun’s magnetism in the context of other stars. Only 61 Cyg A (K5V) and τ Boo (F8V) are currently known to have magnetic cycles like the Sun’s, where the large-scale magnetic field polarity reverses in phase with the star’s chromospheric activity cycles. τ Boo has a rapid ∼240 d magnetic cycle, and it is not yet clear whether this is related to the star’s thin convection zone or if the dynamo is accelerated by interactions between τ Boo and its hot Jupiter. To shed light on this, we studied the magnetic activity of HD 75332 (F7V) which has similar physical properties to τ Boo and does not appear to host a hot Jupiter. We characterized its long term chromospheric activity variability over 53 yrs and used Zeeman Doppler Imaging to reconstruct the large-scale surface magnetic field for 12 epochs between 2007 and 2019. Although we observe only one reversal of the large-scale magnetic dipole, our results suggest that HD 75332 has a rapid ∼1.06 yr solar-like magnetic cycle where the magnetic field evolves in phase with its chromospheric activity. If a solar-like cycle is present, reversals of the large-scale radial field polarity are expected to occur at around activity cycle maxima. This would be similar to the rapid magnetic cycle observed for τ Boo, suggesting that rapid magnetic cycles may be intrinsic to late-F stars and related to their shallow convection zones.

Identifying solar-like magnetic cycles with Zeeman-Doppler-Imaging

ABSTRACT We are reaching the point where spectropolarimetric surveys have run for long enough to reveal solar-like magnetic activity cycles. In this paper, we investigate what would be the best strategy to identify solar-like magnetic cycles and ask which large-scale magnetic field parameters best follow a solar-type magnetic cycle and are observable with the Zeeman-Doppler-Imaging (ZDI) technique. We approach these questions using the 3D non-potential flux transport simulations of Yeates & Mackay (2012) modelling the solar vector magnetic field over 15 yr (centred on solar cycle 23). The flux emergence profile was extracted from solar synoptic maps and used as input for a photospheric flux transport model in combination with a non-potential coronal evolution model. We synthesize spectropolarimetric data from the simulated maps and reconstruct them using ZDI. The ZDI observed solar cycle is set into the context of other cool star observations and we present observable trends of the magnetic field topology with time, sunspot number, and S-index. We find that the axisymmetric energy fraction is the best parameter of the ZDI detectable large-scale field to trace solar-like cycles. Neither the surface averaged large-scale field or the total magnetic energy is appropriate. ZDI seems also to be able to recover the increase of the toroidal energy with S-index. We see further that ZDI might unveil hints of the dynamo modes that are operating and of the global properties of the small-scale flux emergence like active latitudes.

Observations of the Solar Corona from Space

Space observations of the atmosphere of the Sun, obtained in half a century of dedicated space missions, provide a well established picture of the medium and large-scale solar corona, which is highly variable with the level of solar activity through a solar cycle and evolves with the long-term evolution of the magnetic cycles. In this review, we summarize the physical properties and dynamics of the medium and large-scale corona, consisting primarily of active regions, streamers and coronal holes; describe the dependence of coronal patterns on the magnetic field patterns changing through the solar cycle and the properties of the regions of open magnetic flux channeling the solar wind; the ubiquitous presence of fluctuations in the outer corona; the rotational properties of the large-scale corona; and the persistent hemispheric asymmetries in the emergence of magnetic fields and the distribution of the coronal emission.

Dynamo models of the solar cycle

This paper reviews recent advances and current debates in modeling the solar cycle as a hydromagnetic dynamo process. Emphasis is placed on (relatively) simple dynamo models that are nonetheless detailed enough to be comparable to solar cycle observations. After a brief overview of the dynamo problem and of key observational constraints, I begin by reviewing the various magnetic field regeneration mechanisms that have been proposed in the solar context. I move on to a presentation and critical discussion of extant solar cycle models based on these mechanisms, followed by a discussion of recent magnetohydrodynamical simulations of solar convection generating solar-like large-scale magnetic cycles. I then turn to the origin and consequences of fluctuations in these models and simulations, including amplitude and parity modulation, chaotic behavior, and intermittency. The paper concludes with a discussion of our current state of ignorance regarding various key questions relating to the explanatory framework offered by dynamo models of the solar cycle.

THE SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL RELATIONSHIP USING FRACTAL DIMENSION

Sun is the main source of energy for the earth and other planets. Its activity in one or other way influences the terrestrial climate. Particularly, the solar activity manifested in the form of sunspots is found to be much more influential on the earth’s climate and on its magnetosphere. Links of the variability in terrestrial climate and sunspot cycles and associated magnetic cycles have been the concern of many recent studies. These two time series data sunspots and K-index are distributed into 22-year cycles, according to the magnetic field of the sun in which polarity reverses after 11-years. The fractal dimension of each sunspot cycle from 1 to 24 is calculated and found to be quasi-regular (persistent, [Formula: see text]). To understand the regular effects of the dynamics of sunspot cycles on the earth’s climate and magnetosphere, the sunspot cycles and K-index cycles (22 years each) from 1932 to 2014 are observed and discussed comparatively in the perspective of fractal dimension and Hurst exponent.

Stellar dynamos with solar and antisolar differential rotations: Implications to magnetic cycles of slowly rotating stars

ABSTRACT Simulations of magnetohydrodynamics convection in slowly rotating stars predict antisolar differential rotation (DR) in which the equator rotates slower than poles. This antisolar DR in the usual αΩ dynamo model does not produce polarity reversal. Thus, the features of large-scale magnetic fields in slowly rotating stars are expected to be different than stars having solar-like DR. In this study, we perform mean-field kinematic dynamo modelling of different stars at different rotation periods. We consider antisolar DR for the stars having rotation period larger than 30 d and solar-like DR otherwise. We show that with particular α profiles, the dynamo model produces magnetic cycles with polarity reversals even with the antisolar DR provided, the DR is quenched when the toroidal field grows considerably high and there is a sufficiently strong α for the generation of toroidal field. Due to the antisolar DR, the model produces an abrupt increase of magnetic field exactly when the DR profile is changed from solar-like to antisolar. This enhancement of magnetic field is in good agreement with the stellar observational data as well as some global convection simulations. In the solar-like DR branch, with the decreasing rotation period, we find the magnetic field strength increases while the cycle period shortens. Both of these trends are in general agreement with observations. Our study provides additional support for the possible existence of antisolar DR in slowly rotating stars and the presence of unusually enhanced magnetic fields and possibly cycles that are prone to production of superflare.

Experimental Investigation of the Delay Time in Galactic Cosmic Ray Flux in Different Epochs of Solar Magnetic Cycles: 1959 – 2014

In the present article, we analyze long-term changes in the intensity of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) in different polarity epochs of the solar magnetic cycles from 1959 to 2014. Our purpose is to carry out a study of the delay time (DT) between the changes of the GCR intensity and various parameters characterizing the conditions in the heliosphere. We prove the existence of varying DTs between the changes of GCR intensity and the parameters characterizing solar activity, such as sunspot number and tilt angle. Based on our investigation, we obtained different DTs in epochs with different global solar magnetic field polarities. We conclude that the observed DTs are very important parameters for the study of GCR transport in the heliosphere.

Characterization of stellar activity using transits and its impact on habitability

Stellar magnetic field is the driver of activity in stars and can trigger spots, energetic flares, coronal plasma ejections and ionized winds. These phenomena play a crucial role in understanding the internal mechanisms of the star, but can also have potential effects in orbiting planets. During the transit of a planet, spots can be occulted producing features imprinted in the transit light curve. Here, we modelled these features to characterize the physical properties of the spots (radius, intensity, and location). In addition, we monitor spots signatures on multiple transits to estimate magnetic cycles length of Kepler stars. Flares have also been observed during transits in active stars. We derive the properties of the flares and analyse their UV impact on possible living organisms in planets orbiting in the habitable zone.