On the evolution of the magnetic field of Ap star $\alpha^2$ CVn

TL;DR

This paper presents evidence that the magnetic field of the Ap star $ extalpha^2$ CVn changes over a decade, indicating a faster evolution of magnetic fields in Ap stars than previously believed.

Contribution

It provides high-precision measurements and analysis suggesting secular magnetic field variations in Ap stars on a 10-year timescale, challenging prior assumptions.

Findings

Magnetic field of $ extalpha^2$ CVn varies over ~10 years

Magnetic evolution rate in Ap stars is higher than previously thought

Secular magnetic variations are detectable with high-precision data

Abstract

New high-precision measurements of the longitudinal magnetic field of Ap stars suggest the existence of secular intrinsic variations of the global magnetic field in some stars. We argue that such changes are apparent in the Ap star $\alpha^2$ CVn in the time scale of $\sim$ 10 years, which results from the analysis of literature data. Therefore, such an observation implies, that the rate of magnetic field evolution of Ap stars is much higher than was previously thought.