The role of magnetic fields in governing the angular momentum evolution of solar-type stars

TL;DR

This review discusses how magnetic fields influence the angular momentum evolution of solar-type stars throughout their development, highlighting theoretical advances and observational findings.

Contribution

It synthesizes historical and recent ideas on magnetic field roles in stellar angular momentum evolution, emphasizing the importance of magnetic coupling and winds.

Findings

Magnetic fields are central to stellar rotational evolution.

Star-disk magnetic coupling affects pre-main sequence stars.

Magnetized winds influence main sequence star rotation.

Abstract

I review the development of ideas regarding the angular momentum evolution of solar-type stars, from the early 60's to the most recent years. Magnetic fields are the central agent that dictates the rotational evolution of solar-type stars, both during the pre-main sequence, through star-disk magnetic coupling, and during the main sequence, through magnetized winds. Key theoretical developments as well as important observational results are summarized in this review.