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Observations of Cool-Star Magnetic Fields

Living Reviews in Solar Physics

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Title Observations of Cool-Star Magnetic Fields
 
Subject Solar-Stellar Connection
 
Identifier http://www.livingreviews.org/lrsp-2012-1
doi:10.12942/
 
Date 2012-02-29
 
Description Cool stars like the Sun harbor convection zones capable of producing substantial surface magnetic fields leading to stellar magnetic activity. The influence of stellar parameters like rotation, radius, and age on cool-star magnetism, and the importance of the shear layer between a radiative core and the convective envelope for the generation of magnetic fields are keys for our understanding of low-mass stellar dynamos, the solar dynamo, and also for other large-scale and planetary dynamos. Our observational picture of cool-star magnetic fields has improved tremendously over the last years. Sophisticated methods were developed to search for the subtle effects of magnetism, which are difficult to detect particularly in cool stars. With an emphasis on the assumptions and capabilities of modern methods used to measure magnetism in cool stars, I review the different techniques available for magnetic field measurements. I collect the analyses on cool-star magnetic fields and try to compare results from different methods, and I review empirical evidence that led to our current picture of magnetic fields and their generation in cool stars and brown dwarfs.
 
Format text/html
 
Language en
 
Source Living Reviews in Solar Physics
 
Type Review Article
 
Rights Max Planck Society and the author(s)