Magnetism, dynamo action and the solar-stellar connection.

Area of Science:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Stellar Physics
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Magnetism is a fundamental property of stars, including our Sun, influencing their interiors and evolution.
• Observing the Sun provides detailed but time-limited snapshots of stellar magnetism.
• Studying other stars, alongside theory and simulations, is essential to understand magnetism's dependence on stellar properties like age, mass, and rotation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current observations and theories of magnetism in the Sun and other stars.
• To explore the 'Solar-stellar connection,' examining how studying one informs the other.
• To highlight key findings that constrain theories of magnetic field generation and maintenance.

Main Methods:

• Review of observational techniques for measuring or inferring stellar magnetic fields.
• Synthesis of theoretical concepts, including convection and dynamo theory (e.g., mean-field theory).
• Analysis of simulations of convection and magnetism in stellar interiors.

Main Results:

• Key observational findings constrain theories of stellar magnetic field generation.
• Simulations reveal peculiarities in field generation across different star types.
• Identified unifying physical processes likely governing dynamo action in stars.

Conclusions:

• Significant progress has been made in understanding stellar magnetism through combined solar and stellar studies.
• The study highlights both learned aspects and remaining uncertainties in stellar dynamo theory.
• Further research is needed to solve outstanding issues in stellar magnetism.