CoRoT Reveals a Magnetic Activity Cycle in a Sun-Like Star
Publication date: 28 August 2010
Authors: Garcia, R., et al.
Journal: Science
Volume: 329
Issue: 5995
Page: 1032
Year: 2010
Copyright: American Association for the Advancement of Science
The 11-year activity cycle of the Sun is a consequence of a dynamo process occurring beneath its surface. We analyzed photometric data obtained by the CoRoT space mission, showing solarlike oscillations in the star HD49933, for signatures of stellar magnetic activity. Asteroseismic measurements of global changes in the oscillation frequencies and mode amplitudes reveal a modulation of at least 120 days, with the minimum frequency shift corresponding to maximum amplitude as in the Sun. These observations are evidence of a stellar magnetic activity cycle taking place beneath the surface of HD49933 and provide constraints for stellar dynamo models under conditions different from those of the Sun.
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