Magnetic fields of red dwarf stars and their impact on terrestrial exoplanets

Project title: Magnetic fields of red dwarf stars and their impact on terrestrial exoplanets
Main applicant: Oleg Kochukhov, Division of Astronomy and Space Physics
Grant amount: SEK 3 900 000 for the period 2024-2027

Stellar magnetic activity plays a central role in driving high-energy radiation, winds and variability in stellar environments. This makes stellar magnetism one of the key factors shaping the space weather around exoplanets and determining their atmospheric properties, interior structure and, ultimately, habitability. However, the lack of observational data on stellar magnetic fields currently hinders the progress in understanding interactions between exoplanets and their hosts.

The objective of this project is to investigate magnetic fields of red dwarf stars, with a particular emphasis on stars hosting rocky planets in the habitable zones. These cool, low-mass stars are at the focal point of current exoplanet research, as they offer the best opportunities to detect and characterize terrestrial exoplanets. Our systematic, multi-scale analysis of magnetic fields on stellar surfaces will provide new insights into the enigmatic process of magnetic field generation inside stars. Additionally, information on the magnetic properties of individual exoplanet hosts will enable data-driven studies of their planets.

In this project, we will use observational data from several major ground-based facilities, including CRIRES – a unique near-infrared spectrometer recently installed at one of the 8-m telescopes of the European Southern Observatory. We have taken a leading role in the CRIRES upgrade project and are currently benefiting from early privileged access to this powerful instrument.