CoRoT Reveals a Magnetic Activity Cycle in a Sun-Like Star

García, Rafael A.; Mathur, Savita; Salabert, D.; Ballot, Jérôme; Régulo, C.; Metcalfe, Travis S.; Baglin, Annie
Bibliographical reference

Science, Volume 329, Issue 5995, pp. 1032- (2010).

Advertised on:
8
2010
Journal
Number of authors
7
IAC number of authors
2
Citations
237
Refereed citations
174
Description
The 11-year activity cycle of the Sun is a consequence of a dynamo process occurring beneath its surface. We analyzed photometric data obtained by the CoRoT space mission, showing solarlike oscillations in the star HD49933, for signatures of stellar magnetic activity. Asteroseismic measurements of global changes in the oscillation frequencies and mode amplitudes reveal a modulation of at least 120 days, with the minimum frequency shift corresponding to maximum amplitude as in the Sun. These observations are evidence of a stellar magnetic activity cycle taking place beneath the surface of HD49933 and provide constraints for stellar dynamo models under conditions different from those of the Sun.
Related projects
Helio and Asteroseismology
Helio and Astero-Seismology and Exoplanets Search
The principal objectives of this project are: 1) to study the structure and dynamics of the solar interior, 2) to extend this study to other stars, 3) to search for extrasolar planets using photometric methods (primarily by transits of their host stars) and their characterization (using radial velocity information) and 4) the study of the planetary
Savita
Mathur