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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
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Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
Published on: May 10, 2020
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Close-in planet induces flares on its host star
Ekaterina Ilin1,2, Harish K Vedantham3,4, Katja Poppenhäger5,6
1Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), Dwingeloo, The Netherlands. ilin@astron.nl.
Nature
|July 3, 2025
Summary
Researchers detected planet-induced flares on HIP 67522, confirming magnetic star-planet interactions. This interaction significantly increases the innermost planet's flare rate, impacting its atmosphere.
Area of Science:
- Exoplanetary Science
- Stellar Astrophysics
- Planetary Atmospheres
Background:
- Hundreds of exoplanets with short orbital periods (<10 days) have been discovered.
- Planets in close orbits can interact with their host star's magnetic field, potentially enhancing stellar activity.
- Previous searches for magnetic star-planet interactions have yielded inconclusive results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and confirm magnetic star-planet interactions in the HIP 67522 system.
- To understand the impact of these interactions on stellar activity and planetary atmospheres.
Main Methods:
- Utilized space-borne photometry from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and dedicated Characterising Exoplanets Telescope (CHEOPS) observations over five years.
- Analyzed flare activity in relation to the orbital phase of the innermost planet in the HIP 67522 system.
Main Results:
- Detected 15 planet-induced flares on the young G dwarf star HIP 67522.
- Found that flares cluster near the transit phase of the innermost planet, indicating persistent magnetic interaction.
- The innermost planet experiences a six-fold increase in flare rate due to this interaction.
Conclusions:
- Confirmed persistent magnetic star-planet interaction in the HIP 67522 system.
- The interaction is a likely driver for the enhanced flare rate and energetic particle bombardment of the innermost planet.
- HIP 67522 serves as a key system for studying the influence of magnetic star-planet interactions on young exoplanetary atmospheres.
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