R. Konstantinova-Antova

A BCool magnetic snapshot survey of solar-type stars

We present the results of a major high-resolution spectropolarimetric BCool project magnetic survey of 170 solar-type stars. Surface magnetic fields were detected on 67 stars, with 21 classified as mature solar-type stars, a result that increases by a factor of 4 the number of mature solar-type stars on which magnetic fields have been observed. In addition, a magnetic fieldwasdetectedfor3outof18ofthesubgiantstarssurveyed.ForthepopulationofK-dwarfs, the mean value of |Bl| (|Bl|mean) was also found to be higher (5.7 G) than |Bl|mean measured for the G-dwarfs (3.2 G) and the F-dwarfs (3.3 G). For the sample as a whole, |Bl|mean increases with rotation rate and decreases with age, and the upper envelope for |Bl| correlates well with the observed chromospheric emission. Stars with a chromospheric S-index greater than about 0.2 show a high magnetic field detection rate and so offer optimal targets for future studies. This survey constitutes the most extensive spectropolarimetric survey of cool stars undertaken to date, and suggests that it is feasible to pursue magnetic mapping of a wide range of moderately active solar-type stars to improve our understanding of their surface fields and

A polarity reversal in the large-scale magnetic field of the rapidly rotating sun HD 190771

Aims. We investigate the long-term evolution of the large-scale photospheric magnetic field geometry of the solar-type star HD 190771. With fundamental parameters very close to those of the Sun except for a shorter rotation period of 8.8 d, HD 190771 provides us with a first insight into the specific impact of the rotation rate in the dynamo generation of magnetic fields in 1 Mstars. Methods. We use circularly polarized, high-resolution spectra obtained with the NARVAL spectropolarimeter (Observatoire du Pic du Midi, France) and compute cross-correlation line profiles with high signal-to-noise ratio to detect polarized Zeeman signatures. From three phase-resolved data sets collected during the summers of 2007, 2008, and 2009, we model the large-scale photospheric magnetic field of the star by means of Zeeman-Doppler imaging and follow its temporal evolution. Results. The comparison of the magnetic maps shows that a polarity reversal of the axisymmetric component of the large-scale mag- netic field occurred between 2007 and 2008, this evolution being observed in both the poloidal and toroidal magnetic components. Between 2008 and 2009, another type of global evolution occured, characterized by a sharp decrease of the fraction of magnetic energy stored in the toroidal component. These changes were not accompanied by significant evolution in the total photospheric magnetic energy. Using our spectra to perform radial velocity measurements, we also detect a very low-mass stellar companion to HD 190771.

EK Eridani: the tip of the iceberg of giants which have evolved from magnetic Ap stars

Aims. We observe the slowly-rotating, active, single giant, EK Eri, to study and infer the nature of its magnetic field directly. Methods. We used the spectropolarimeter NARVAL at the Telescope Bernard Lyot, Pic du Midi Observatory, and the Least Square Deconvolution method to create high signal-to-noise ratio Stokes V profiles. We fitted the Stokes V profiles with a model of the large-scale magnetic field. We studied the classical activity indicators, the Ca ii H and K lines, the Ca ii infrared triplet, and Hα line. Results. We detected the Stokes V signal of EK Eri securely and measured the longitudinal magnetic field Bl for seven individual dates spanning 60% of the rotational period. The measured longitudinal magnetic field of EK Eri reached about 100 G and was as strong as fields observed in RSCVn or FK Com type stars: this was found to be extraordinary when compared with the weak fields observed at the surfaces of slowly-rotating MS stars or any single red giant previously observed with NARVAL. From our modeling, we infer that the mean surface magnetic field is about 270 G, and that the large scale magnetic field is dominated by a poloidal component. This is compatible with expectations for the descendant of a strongly magnetic Ap star.

Direct observation of magnetic cycles in Sun-like stars

A sample of 19 solar-type stars, probing masses between 0.6 and 1.4 solar mass and rotation periods between 3.4 and 43 days, was regularly observed using the NARVAL spectropolarimeter at Telescope Bernard Lyot (Pic du Midi, France) between 2007 and 2011. The Zeeman-Doppler Imaging technique is employed to reconstruct the large-scale photospheric magnetic field structure of the targets and investigate its long-term temporal evolution. We present here the first results of this project with the observation of short magnetic cycles in several stars, showing up a succession of polarity reversals over the timespan of our monitoring. Preliminary trends suggest that short cycles are more frequent for stellar periods below a dozen days and for stellar masses above about one solar mass. The cycles lengths unveiled by the direct tracking of polarity switches are significantly shorter than those derived from previous studies based on chromospheric activity monitoring, suggesting the coexistence of several magnetic timescales in a same star.

Fast colorimetry of the flare star EV lacertae from UBVRI observations in 2004

Aims. We report results of a quantitative colorimetric UBVRI analysis of two flare events on the red dwarf EV Lac. The photometric data were obtained in September 2004, during the multi-site synchronous monitoring from the four observatories in Ukraine, Russia, Greece, and Bulgaria. These observations confirmed the presence of small-scale high-frequency oscillations (HFO) initially detected by Rodono (1974, A&A, 32, 337) and recently reconfirmed by the authors. Here we discuss the color characteristics of flares and HFO. Methods. Colorimetric analysis had been performed with the help of the time tracks in the UBVRI color-color diagrams from the earliest phase of flare development. Digital filtering technique was used to evaluate the time-dependent color indices. Results. As can be clearly seen in the diagrams, color indices oscillate on a time scale of seconds, far exceeding instrumental errors. Regarding the HFO, we conclude that the bulk of a flare oscillates during a major part of its lifetime between the states of hydrogen plasma opaque and transparent in the Balmer continuum. We find that at the peaks of oscillations the color tracks drift into the regions of color-color diagrams corresponding to a blackbody radiation, which provides an estimate of color temperatures from 17 000 to 22 000 K. We also find that flares cover ∼1% of the stellar disc.

Direct detection of a magnetic field at the surface of V390 Aurigae - an effectively single active giant

Aims. We have studied the active giant V390 Aur using spectropolarimetry to obtain direct and simultaneous measurements of the magnetic field and the activity indicators in order to infer the origin of the activity. Methods. We used the new spectropolarimeter NARVAL at the Bernard Lyot Telescope (Observatoire du Pic du Midi, France) to obtain a series of Stokes I and Stokes V profiles. Using the LSD technique we were able to detect the Zeeman signature of the magnetic field in each of our 5 observations and to measure its longitudinal component. Using the wide wavelength range of the spectra we could monitor the Call K&H and IR triplet, as well as the H α lines which are activity indicators. The Stokes I LSD profiles enabled us to detect and measure the profiles of two weak stellar companions. Results. From five observations obtained from November 2006 to March 2007, we deduce that the magnetic field has a complex structure which evolves with time and is reminiscent of a dynamo-induced magnetic field. The activity indicators also present day to day variations, but their behaviour does not completely follow the magnetic field variations, because their longitudinal component can cancel the contribution of complex magnetic features. There is a significant difference between the magnetic field observed on November 27, 2006 and on March 15, 2007, at the same rotational phase, but with an interval of 10 rotations. The behaviour of the activity indicators together with the measured enhanced magnetic field on March 15, 2007 support the idea of a change in the field topology. Analysis (RV and EW) of the absorption components of the Stokes I LSD profile shows that the secondary of the visual wide orbit binary ADS 3812 is itself a spectroscopic binary, and suggests that the synchronization effect does not play role for V390 Aur (the primary), and that the giant should be considered as effectively single with regard to its fast rotation and activity.

Lithium and magnetic fields in giant stars - HD 232 862: a magnetic and lithium-rich giant

Aims. We report the detection of an unusually high lithium content in HD 232 862, a field giant classified as a G8II star, and hosting a magnetic field. Methods. With the spectropolarimeters ESPaDOnS at CFHT and NARVAL at TBL, we collected high resolution and high signalto-noise spectra of three giants: HD 232 862, KU Peg and HD 21 018. From spectral synthesis we inferred stellar parameters and measured lithium abundances that we compared to predictions from evolutionary models. We also analysed Stokes V signatures, looking for a magnetic field on these giants. Results. HD 232 862, presents a very high abundance of lithium (ALi = 2.45 ± 0.25 dex), far in excess of the theoretically value expected at this spectral type and for this luminosity class (i.e., G8II). The evolutionary stage of HD 232 862 was determined, and it suggests a mass in the lower part of the [1.0 M� ,3 .5M� ] mass interval, likely 1.5–2.0 M� , at the bottom of the red giant branch. Also, a time variable Stokes V signature was detected in the data of HD 232 862 and KU Peg, pointing to the presence of a magnetic field at the surface of these two rapidly rotating active stars.

Rotational velocities of the giants in symbiotic stars — I. D′-type symbiotics

We have measured the rotational velocities (v sin i) of the mass donors in a number of D’–type symbiotic stars, using the cross-correlation function method. Four from five D’ symbiotic stars with known v sin i, appeared to be very fast rotators compared with the catalogues of v sin i for the corresponding spectral types. At least three of these stars rotate at a substantial fraction (& 0.5) of the critical velocity. This means that at least in D’–type SS the cool components rotate faster than isolated giants. If these binary stars are synchronized, their orbital periods should be relatively short (4-60 days). We also briefly discuss the possible origin of the rapid rotation and its connection with mass loss and dust formation.

Magnetic Field and Convection in the Cool Supergiant Betelgeuse

We present the outcome of a highly-sensitive search for magnetic fields on the cool supergiant Betelgeuse. A time-series of six circularly polarized spectra was obtained using the NARVAL spectropolarimeter at Telescope Bernard Lyot (Pic du Midi Observatory (F)), between March and April 2010. Zeeman signatures were repeatedly detected in cross-correlation profiles, corresponding to a longitudinal component of about 1 G. The time-series unveils a smooth increase of the longitudinal field from 0.5 to 1.5 G, correlated with radial velocity fluctuations. We observe a strong asymmetry of Stokes V signatures, also varying in correlation with the radial velocity. The Stokes V line profiles are red-shifted by about 9 km s−1 with respect to the Stokes I profiles, suggesting that the observed magnetic elements may be concentrated in the sinking components of the convective flows.

Magnetic Field Structure and Activity of the He-burning Giant 37 Comae

We present the first magnetic map of the late-type giant 37 Com. The Least Squares Deconvolution (LSD) method and Zeeman Doppler Imaging (ZDI) inversion technique were applied. The chromospheric activity indicators Hα, S-index, Ca ii IRT and the radial velocity were also measured. The evolutionary status of the star has been studied on the basis of state-of-the-art stellar evolutionary models and chemical abundance analysis. 37 Com appears to be in the core Helium-burning phase.