Exploring the connection of weak winds and magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential influence of magnetic fields on the observed discrepancies in stellar wind momentum in low-luminosity, metal-poor, early-type stars, challenging the traditional radiatively driven wind theory.

Contribution

It explores the role of magnetic fields in explaining the breakdown of radiatively driven wind predictions at low stellar luminosities.

Findings

Magnetic fields may contribute to weaker stellar winds in certain stars.

The study suggests magnetic effects could explain deviations from standard wind models.

Further observational evidence is needed to confirm magnetic influence.

Abstract

The theory of radiatively driven winds successfully explains the key points of the stellar winds of hot massive stars. However, there is an apparent break-down of this paradigm at L/Lsun<5.2: the stellar wind momentum is smaller than predicted for low luminosity early-type stars from metal poor environments, and there are also some Galactic examples. In this work we explore whether magnetic fields are playing a role.