Daily Image
17-11-2022
Colloquium: A Magnetic Connection from Stars to Planets
| Submitter: | Sebastian Pineda |
| Description: | The observable properties and evolution of both low-mass stars and their planets is fundamentally shaped by their respective magnetic fields. Stars like the Sun, shed angular momentum through an outflowing ionized particle wind powered by the magnetic heating of the stellar upper atmosphere. This wind defines the interplanetary medium and can erode exoplanetary atmospheres, especially if they are not shielded by their own intrinsic magnetic fields. Understanding interactions like these and the consequences for planetary habitability requires a complete magnetic characterization of individual stellar exoplanet systems. Of particular concern are the magnetic field strengths of rocky exoplanets, an unknown with few if any observational constraints. I will discuss my ongoing efforts studying stellar and planetary magnetism, and new observational evidence for magnetic star-planet interactions traced by coherent radio emissions. A comprehensive analysis of these physical interactions requires a multi-faceted and multi-wavelength approach, with radio facilities playing a crucial role. Exoplanet science has much to be gained from observations at radio wavelengths (MHz-GHz), and with current and upcoming facilities, the future is bright. The figure here shows an artist's impression of star-planet interaction. The plasma flowing between the two bodies is depicted in violet. |
| Copyright: | CC-BY-NC-SA (Credit: Danielle Futselaar) |
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