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Magnetic activity, high-energy radiation and variability: from young solar analogs to low-mass objects

Güdel, Manuel

In: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2009, vol. 5, no. S264, p. 375-384

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    Title
    • Magnetic activity, high-energy radiation and variability: from young solar analogs to low-mass objects
    Author
    • Güdel, Manuel. Institute of Astronomy, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland email: guedel@pastro.phys.ethz.ch
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2009, vol. 5, no. S264, p. 375-384. Cambridge University Press
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:301367
    Summary
    Magnetic activity on cool stars expresses itself in a bewildering variety of radiative and particle output originating from magnetic regions between the photosphere and the corona. Given its origin in evolving magnetic fields, most of this output is variable in time. Radiation in the ultraviolet, the extreme ultraviolet, and the X-ray ranges are important for heating and ionizing upper planetary atmospheres and thus driving atmospheric evaporation. Additionally, stellar winds interact with the upper atmospheres and may lead to further erosion. The stellar high-energy output is therefore a prime factor in determining habitability of planets. We summarize our knowledge of magnetic activity in young solar analogs and lower-mass stars and show how the stellar output changes on evolutionary timescales