Bibcode
Lèbre, A.; Aurière, Michel; Fabas, N.; Gillet, Denis; Herpin, Fabrice; Petit, Pascal; Konstantinova-Antova, Renada
Bibliographical reference
Magnetic Fields throughout Stellar Evolution, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 302, pp. 385-388
Advertised on:
8
2014
Citations
2
Refereed citations
1
Description
So far, surface magnetic fields have never been reported on Mira stars,
while observational facilities allowing detection and measurement of
weak surface fields through the Zeeman effect have become available.
Then, in order to complete the knowledge of the magnetic field and of
its influence during the transition from Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB)
to Planetary Nebulae (PN) stages, we have undertaken a search for
magnetic fields at the surface of Miras. We present the first
spectropolarimetric observations (performed with the Narval instrument
at Télescope Bernard Lyot-TBL, Pic du Midi, France) of the S-type
Mira star χ Cyg. We have detected a polarimetric signal in the
Stokes V spectra and we have established its Zeeman origin. We claim
that it is likely to be related to a weak magnetic field present at the
photospheric level and in the lower part of the stellar atmosphere. The
origin of this magnetic field is discussed in the framework of shock
waves periodically propagating throughout the atmosphere of a Mira.