Sun's magnetic field
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:49 pm
01/07/15 - Sun's magnetic field may soon change
New research suggests gyrochronology models require recalibration, as the spin rates of aging stars don't slow as much as previously thought.
Stars expel mass in the form of stellar wind. This wind reacts with the star's surrounding magnetic field, acting as a braking system on the star's rotational spin. But scientists at the Carnegie Institution for Science say older stars don't slow down quite as much as they thought. Researchers believe the change in deceleration is precipitated by a shift in the behavior of the star's aging magnetic field.
More than just requiring recalibration of models, the paper's results -- published this week in the journal Nature -- suggest Earth's sun may soon experience a change in its magnetic field.
Any shift would be gradual, but scientists are still trying to work out the time scale for a change in our sun's electromagnetic tendencies. The necessary recalibrations aren't just important for our understanding of our own sun, but of stellar evolution more broadly.
Best wishes,
NDscorpini
New research suggests gyrochronology models require recalibration, as the spin rates of aging stars don't slow as much as previously thought.
Stars expel mass in the form of stellar wind. This wind reacts with the star's surrounding magnetic field, acting as a braking system on the star's rotational spin. But scientists at the Carnegie Institution for Science say older stars don't slow down quite as much as they thought. Researchers believe the change in deceleration is precipitated by a shift in the behavior of the star's aging magnetic field.
More than just requiring recalibration of models, the paper's results -- published this week in the journal Nature -- suggest Earth's sun may soon experience a change in its magnetic field.
Any shift would be gradual, but scientists are still trying to work out the time scale for a change in our sun's electromagnetic tendencies. The necessary recalibrations aren't just important for our understanding of our own sun, but of stellar evolution more broadly.
Best wishes,
NDscorpini