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Full Stokes IQUV spectropolarimetry of AGB and post-AGB stars: probing surface magnetism and atmospheric dynamics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2015

Agnès Lèbre*
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Univers et Particules de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34 090 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
Michel Aurière
Affiliation:
Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 31 400 Toulouse, France
Nicolas Fabas
Affiliation:
Kiepenheuer-Institut fur Sonnenphysik 79 104 Freiburg, Germany
Denis Gillet
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Haute Provence & Observatoire Pytheas 04 870 Saint-Michel l'Observatoire, France
Eric Josselin
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Univers et Particules de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34 090 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
Philippe Mathias
Affiliation:
Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 31 400 Toulouse, France
Pascal Petit
Affiliation:
Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 31 400 Toulouse, France
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Abstract

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Full Stokes spectropolarimetric observations of a Mira star (χ Cyg) and a RV Tauri star (R Sct) are presented and analyzed comparatively. From their Stokes V data (circular polarization), we report the detection of a weak magnetic field at the surface of these cool and evolved radially pulsating stars. For both stars, we analyse this detection in the framework of their complex atmospheric dynamics, with the possibility that shock waves may imprint an efficient compressive effect on the surface magnetic field. We also report strong Stokes U and Stokes Q signatures associated to metallic lines (as a global trend), those linear polarimetric features appear to be time variable along the pulsating phase. More surprising, in the Stokes U and Stokes Q data, we also detect signatures associated to individual metallic lines (such as Sr i 460.7 nm, Na D2588.9 nm), that are known (from the solar case) to be easily polarizable in case of a global asymmetry at the photospheric level.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2015 

References

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