Ultraviolet spectropolarimetry with Polstar: using Polstar to test magnetospheric mass-loss quenching

Shultz, M. E.; Casini, R.; Cheung, M. C. M.; David-Uraz, A.; del Pino Alemán, T.; Erba, C.; Folsom, C. P.; Gayley, K.; Ignace, R.; Keszthelyi, Z.; Kochukhov, O.; Nazé, Y.; Neiner, C.; Oksala, M.; Petit, V.; Scowen, P. A.; Sudnik, N.; ud-Doula, A.; Vink, J. S.; Wade, G. A.
Bibliographical reference

Astrophysics and Space Science

Advertised on:
12
2022
Number of authors
20
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
5
Refereed citations
5
Description
Polstar is a proposed NASA MIDEX space telescope that will provide high-resolution, simultaneous full-Stokes spectropolarimetry in the far ultraviolet, together with low-resolution linear polarimetry in the near ultraviolet. This observatory offers unprecedented capabilities to obtain unique information on the magnetic and plasma properties of the magnetospheres of hot stars. We describe an observing program making use of the known population of magnetic hot stars to test the fundamental hypothesis that magnetospheres should act to rapidly drain angular momentum, thereby spinning the star down, whilst simultaneously reducing the net mass-loss rate. Both effects are expected to lead to dramatic differences in the evolution of magnetic vs. non-magnetic stars.
Related projects
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Magnetism, Polarization and Radiative Transfer in Astrophysics
Magnetic fields pervade all astrophysical plasmas and govern most of the variability in the Universe at intermediate time scales. They are present in stars across the whole Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, in galaxies, and even perhaps in the intergalactic medium. Polarized light provides the most reliable source of information at our disposal for the
Tanausú del
Pino Alemán