Search

We have studied the magnetic field of about 50 active and non-active single G-K-type red giants by means of spectropolarimetry with Narval and ESPaDOnS. 30 giants have been significantly Zeeman-detected. A close study of the 17 giants with known rotational periods shows that the measured magnetic field strength is correlated to the rotation, in particular to the Rossby number. 4 giants for which the magnetic field is measured to be outstandingly strong with respect to the rotational period or the evolutionary state are identified as probable Ap-star descendants. We detail their magnetic properties and propose criteria to identify Ap-star descendants., Comment: 8 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the conference "Putting A Stars into Context: Evolution, Environment, and Related Stars"

We present the behavior of the magnetic field and activity indicators of the single late-type giant Beta Ceti in the period June 19, 2010 - December 14, 2010. We used spectropolarimetric data obtained with two telescopes - the NARVAL spectropolarimeter at Telescope Bernard Lyot, Pic du Midi, France and the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at CFHT, Hawaii. The data were processed using the method of Least Square Deconvolution which enables to derive the mean photospheric profiles of Stokes I and V parameters. We measured the surface-averaged longitudinal magnetic field Bl, which varies in the interval 0.1 - 8.2 G, the line activity indicators CaII K, H_alpha, CaII IR (854.2 nm) and radial velocity. By analyzing the Bl variations, was identified a possible rotational period P = 118 days. A single, large magnetic spot which dominates the field topology is a possible explanation for the Bl and activity indicator variations of Beta Ceti., Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, conference talk

We present the outcome of a highly-sensitive search for magnetic fields on the cool supergiant Betelgeuse. A time-series of six circularly-polarized spectra was obtained using the NARVAL spectropolarimeter at T\'elescope Bernard Lyot (Pic du Midi Observatory), between 2010 March and April. Zeeman signatures were repeatedly detected in cross-correlation profiles, corresponding to a longitudinal component of about 1 G. The time-series unveils a smooth increase of the longitudinal field from 0.5 to 1.5 G, correlated with radial velocity fluctuations. We observe a strong asymmetry of Stokes V signatures, also varying in correlation with the radial velocity. The Stokes V line profiles are red-shifted by about 9 km/s with respect to the Stokes I profiles, suggesting that the observed magnetic elements may be concentrated in the sinking components of the convective flows., Comment: Submitted to Lecture Notes in Physics (CNRS astronomy school : "From solar environment to stellar environment")

The Synchronous Network of distant Telescopes (SNT) represents an innovative approach in observational astrophysics. Authors present the unique existing realization of the SNT-conception. It was founded within the international collaboration between astronomical observatories of Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria and Greece. All the telescopes of the Network are equipped with standardized photometric systems (based on photomultipliers). The unified timing systems (based on GPS-receivers) synchronize all the apertures to UTC with an accuracy of 1 microsecond and better. The essential parts of the SNT are the original software for operating and data processing. Described international Network successfully works for more then 10 years. The obtained unique observational data made it possible to discover new fine-scale features and flare-triggered phenomena in flaring red dwarfs, as well as the recently found high-frequency variability in some chromospherically active stars., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, Bulgarian Astronomical Journal 17, 2011