Short-term variations of surface magnetism and prominences of the young Sun-like star V530 Per

TL;DR

This study characterizes the short-term magnetic activity and prominence variability of the young, rapidly rotating Sun-like star V530 Per using spectropolarimetric observations, revealing stable magnetic structures and dynamic prominences.

Contribution

First detailed magnetic and prominence mapping of V530 Per, showing rapid prominence evolution and Sun-like differential rotation in a young, fast-rotating star.

Findings

Large polar spot with smaller spots at lower latitudes.

Dominant toroidal, axisymmetric magnetic field with ~1 kG strength.

Stable prominence pattern near the corotation radius.

Abstract

Aims: We investigate magnetic tracers in the photosphere and the chromosphere of the ultra-rapid rotator ($P\sim0.32d$) V530 Per, a cool member of the open cluster $\alpha$ Persei, to characterize the short-term variability of the magnetic activity and large-scale magnetic field of this prototypical young, rapidly rotating solar-like star. Methods: With time-resolved spectropolarimetric observations spread over four close-by nights, we reconstructed the brightness distribution and large-scale magnetic field geometry of V530 Per through Zeeman-Doppler imaging. Simultaneously, we estimated the short-term variability of the surface through latitudinal differential rotation. Using the same data set, we also mapped the spatial distribution of prominences through tomography of H$\alpha$ emission. Results: As in our previous study, a large dark spot occupies the polar region of V530 Per with smaller, dark, and bright spots at lower latitudes. The large-scale magnetic field is dominated by a toroidal, mostly axisymmetric component. The maximal radial field strength is equal to $\sim1$ kG. The surface differential rotation is consistent with a smooth Sun-like shear d$\Omega = 0.053 \pm 0.004$ rad.d$^{-1}$, close to the solar shear level. The prominence pattern displays a stable component that is confined close to the corotation radius. We also observe rapidly evolving H$\alpha$ emitting structures, over timescales ranging from minutes to days. The fast H$\alpha$ evolution was not linked to any detected photospheric changes in the spot or magnetic coverage.