Open AccessCan late‐type active stars be explained by a dipole magnetic trap?
Author(s) -
Kellett B.J.,
Bingham R.,
Cairns R.A.,
Tsikoudi V.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.04972.x
Subject(s) - physics , stars , astrophysics , torus , dipole , magnetic dipole , magnetic trap , astronomy , magnetosphere , toroid , jupiter (rocket family) , magnetic field , plasma , nuclear physics , spacecraft , quantum mechanics , geometry , mathematics
In this paper we review four different types of X‐ray and/or radio observations of active late‐type stars. We then consider if a single magnetic source configuration – a toroidal dipole magnetic trap – can possibly explain these various different observations. We conclude that, indeed, dipole magnetic confinement (similar to the magnetic configurations of the Earth's radiation belts and the case of Jupiter and the Io torus) can explain all the diverse observational data. We take this to be very strong observational support for this type of magnetic confinement scheme. We also consider that this magnetic configuration is only likely to be established and maintained in the most active stars.