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Stellar magnetic activity (5 cr)

Last modified by Thomas Hackman on 2026/04/29 15:12

Level: Master or PhD studies studies in astronomy

Timing: Spring every 2nd year, next time 2026

Contents of the course

The aim of the course is to provide a basis for understanding stellar magnetic activity. The emphasis will be both on observations as well as theory and modelling of stellar magnetic activity. The course consists of lectures, student presentations and exercises. The lectures will be Thursdays 2-4 pm in Physicum D106. The exercise sessions are held in D117 approximately every 2nd Thursday at 4-6 pm.

Preliminary schedule 2026

Thu 15/1/2026 Introduction: Stellar magnetic fields Lecture: PDF

Thu 22/1/2026 Sunspots Literature: Solanki, S, 2003, A&A Rev. 11, 153 (Sect 1-2), Usoskin, I, 2023, LRSP 20, 2 (Sect 1-2), Lecture: PDF

Thu 29/1/2026 Manifestations of stellar magnetic activity Literature: Willamo, T, 2022, PhD thesis, UH (Chap 1-2), Lecture: PDF

Thu 5/2/2026   Methods of observing starspots Literature: Berdyugina, S, 2005, LRSP 2, 8 (Chap 3-4), Lecture: PDF

Thu 5/2/2026  Exercise I

Thu 12/2/2026 Observing stellar surface magnetic fields Literature: Kochukhov, O, 2021, A&A Rev. 29, 1 (Chap 2), Hackman, T et al., 2024 A&A, 682, A156, Lecture: PDF

Thu 19/2/2026 Basic MHD concepts Literature: Brandenburg & Subramanian, 2005, Physics Reports, 417, 1 (Sect. 3, What are the basic assumptions in MHD? In which circumstances are they valid, and when should their validity be questioned? If MHD approximation cannot be used, how should the basic equations be solved for?; Sect 4-6, Which kind of dynamos can be concluded to be relevant in stars?), Lecture (2024): PDF

Thu 19/2/2026 Exercise II

Thu 26/2/2026 The operation mechanism of solar and stellar dynamos Literature: Brun, A.S., Browning, M.K, 2017, LRSP 14, 4 (Sect 5 -5.3, How do we believe that stellar dynamos operate? What are the most important physical mechanisms behind dynamo action? Why is it difficult to decide how exactly stellar dynamos work? What are the main differences between solar and stellar dynamos?), Lectures (2024): PDF1, PDF2

Thu 12/3/2026 Stellar cycles Literature: Reinhold, T et al., 2018, A&A 621, A21 , Lecture: Student presentation PDF, additional PDF

Thu 12/3/2026 Exercise III

Thu 19/3/2026 Magnetic activity and exoplanets Literature: Vidotto, A., 2025, ARA&A, 63, 299 (Focus on sect. 1-5 and 7.5.), Lecture (2024): PDF 

Thu 26/3/2026 The solar atmosphere: From the photosphere to the upper corona Literature: Allred et al., 2015, ApJ 809, 104 and Toriumi & Airapetian, 2022, ApJ 927, 179, Lecture (2024): PDF

Thu 26/3/2026 Exercise IV

Thu 9/4/2026   Solar wind interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere Literature: Russel, 2000, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 28, 1818 and Veronig et al., 2021, Nat. Astr., 5, 697, Lecture (2024): PDF

Thu 16/4/2026 Open questions in stellar magnetic activity, Lecture: PDF

Thu 16/4/2026 Exercise V

Thu 23/4/2026 Conclusion

Passing of the course

The course is passed by a final exam, student presentations and exercises in connection with the lectures. The weight of the exam and exercises (+ presentation) will be 4/5 and 1/5 respectively. The level for maximum points for the home exercises is 80%. Outside the lecturing period, the course can be passed by exams at the general exam dates of the Department of Physics. Here is an example of a final exam from May 2024: PDF. The exam will be on May 7 at 2-6 pm in Exactum CK112. More information about the exam was sent by e-mail.

Literature

In addition to the lecture slides the following literature is useful: