Giant magnetic fields of small stars. New insights into M-dwarf magnetism

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• Oleg Kochukhov (Uppsala University)
• Thursday 23 February 2023, 16:00-17:00
• Hoyle Lecture Theatre .

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Nicolas Laporte.

Magnetic fields play a fundamental role for the interior and atmospheric properies of M dwarfs and greatly influence terrestrial planets orbiting in the habitable zones of these low-mass stars. Determination of the strength and topology of magnetic fields, both on stellar surfaces and throughout the extended stellar magnetospheres, is a key ingredient for advancing stellar and planetary sciences. In this talk I will review modern methods of magnetic field measurements applied to M dwarfs, with an emphasis on direct diagnostics based on interpretation of the Zeeman effect signatures in high-resolution intensity and polarisation spectra. I will summarise results of field strength measurements using Zeeman broadening analyses as well as information on global magnetic geometries inferred from spectropolarimetric observations. The emerging understanding of complex, multi-scale nature of M-dwarf magnetic fields will be discussed in the context of theoretical models of hydromagnetic dynamos and stellar interior structure altered by magnetic fields.

This talk is part of the Institute of Astronomy Colloquia series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Cambridge Astronomy Talks
• Combined External Astrophysics Talks DAMTP
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• Cosmology, Astrophysics and General Relativity
• Hoyle Lecture Theatre
• Institute of Astronomy Colloquia
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