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Title: Using ZDI maps to determine magnetic forces and torques at the photospheres of early-type stars
ABSTRACT We use the magnetic field components measured by Zeeman Doppler imaging (ZDI) to calculate the stellar surface force and torque due to magnetic stresses for the fast rotators σ Ori E, 36 Lyn, and CU Vir, and the slow rotator τ Sco. If we assume the stars have spherical photospheres, the estimated torques give spin-down time-scales no larger than 7 × 105 yr. For σ Ori E, the predicted spin-down time-scale, ≃ 6000 yr, is much less than the observationally measured time-scale of ≃ 106 yr. However, for CU Vir, we find that the spin-down time-scale from its ZDI map is 7 × 105 yr in good agreement with its average rate of spin-down from 1960 to 2010. With the exception of τ Sco, the net force due to magnetic stresses at the stellar surface are large compared to the surface-integrated pressure. We discuss possible reasons for the large values of the forces (and torques), and suggest that the likely explanation is that rotation and the magnetic stresses create significant departures from spherical symmetry.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2108455
PAR ID:
10503338
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Oxford University Press
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume:
530
Issue:
3
ISSN:
0035-8711
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: p. 2840-2851
Size(s):
p. 2840-2851
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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