Seismic signatures of magnetic activity in solar-type stars observed by Kepler

TL;DR

This study uses long-term Kepler data to identify seismic signatures of magnetic activity cycles in solar-type stars, revealing periodic variations in acoustic properties in about half of the analyzed sample.

Contribution

It demonstrates the detection of magnetic cycle signatures in stellar seismic data, advancing asteroseismology as a tool for studying stellar magnetism.

Findings

Approximately 50% of analyzed stars show magnetic cycle signatures.

Detected periodic variations in acoustic properties for stars KIC 8006161 and KIC 5184732.

Provides evidence linking seismic activity to magnetic cycles in solar-type stars.

Abstract

The properties of the acoustic modes are sensitive to magnetic activity. The unprecedented long-term Kepler photometry, thus, allows stellar magnetic cycles to be studied through asteroseismology. We search for signatures of magnetic cycles in the seismic data of Kepler solar-type stars. We find evidence for periodic variations in the acoustic properties of about half of the 87 analysed stars. In these proceedings, we highlight the results obtained for two such stars, namely KIC 8006161 and KIC 5184732.