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Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars

We review the current state of knowledge of magnetic fields inside stars, concentrating on recent developments concerning magnetic fields in stably stratified (zones of) stars, leaving out convective dynamo theories and observations of convective envelopes. We include the observational properties of...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Braithwaite, Jonathan, Spruit, Henk C.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Royal Society Publishing 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5367293/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28386410
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160271
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author Braithwaite, Jonathan
Spruit, Henk C.
author_facet Braithwaite, Jonathan
Spruit, Henk C.
author_sort Braithwaite, Jonathan
collection PubMed
description We review the current state of knowledge of magnetic fields inside stars, concentrating on recent developments concerning magnetic fields in stably stratified (zones of) stars, leaving out convective dynamo theories and observations of convective envelopes. We include the observational properties of A, B and O-type main-sequence stars, which have radiative envelopes, and the fossil field model which is normally invoked to explain the strong fields sometimes seen in these stars. Observations seem to show that Ap-type stable fields are excluded in stars with convective envelopes. Most stars contain both radiative and convective zones, and there are potentially important effects arising from the interaction of magnetic fields at the boundaries between them; the solar cycle being one of the better known examples. Related to this, we discuss whether the Sun could harbour a magnetic field in its core. Recent developments regarding the various convective and radiative layers near the surfaces of early-type stars and their observational effects are examined. We look at possible dynamo mechanisms that run on differential rotation rather than convection. Finally, we turn to neutron stars with a discussion of the possible origins for their magnetic fields.
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spelling pubmed-53672932017-04-06 Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars Braithwaite, Jonathan Spruit, Henk C. R Soc Open Sci Astronomy We review the current state of knowledge of magnetic fields inside stars, concentrating on recent developments concerning magnetic fields in stably stratified (zones of) stars, leaving out convective dynamo theories and observations of convective envelopes. We include the observational properties of A, B and O-type main-sequence stars, which have radiative envelopes, and the fossil field model which is normally invoked to explain the strong fields sometimes seen in these stars. Observations seem to show that Ap-type stable fields are excluded in stars with convective envelopes. Most stars contain both radiative and convective zones, and there are potentially important effects arising from the interaction of magnetic fields at the boundaries between them; the solar cycle being one of the better known examples. Related to this, we discuss whether the Sun could harbour a magnetic field in its core. Recent developments regarding the various convective and radiative layers near the surfaces of early-type stars and their observational effects are examined. We look at possible dynamo mechanisms that run on differential rotation rather than convection. Finally, we turn to neutron stars with a discussion of the possible origins for their magnetic fields. The Royal Society Publishing 2017-02-22 /pmc/articles/PMC5367293/ /pubmed/28386410 http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160271 Text en © 2017 The Authors. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
spellingShingle Astronomy
Braithwaite, Jonathan
Spruit, Henk C.
Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars
title Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars
title_full Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars
title_fullStr Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars
title_full_unstemmed Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars
title_short Magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars
title_sort magnetic fields in non-convective regions of stars
topic Astronomy
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5367293/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28386410
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160271
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