ESA Science & Technology - Magnetic fields in Be stars

Publication date: 02 May 2005

Authors: Neiner, C., et al.

Journal: Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series
Volume: 337
Page: 275
Year: 2005

Copyright: ASOP

Be stars remain a mystery since their discovery 140 years ago. The two presently most favored explanations for the Be phenomenon are the beating of non-radial pulsations and the presence of a magnetic field. In this paper we present the method used in the search for magnetic fields in Be stars, from indirect indicators to direct Zeeman detections, and the role of the magnetic field in the presence of circumstellar material (disk and clouds).