Stellar Magnetic Storm Induced Magnetospheric Polarity Reversals: Distinguishing between Unmagnetised and Magnetised Exoplanets

TL;DR

This study uses 3D simulations to show how stellar magnetic storms cause polarity reversals in planetary magnetospheres, helping distinguish between magnetised and unmagnetised exoplanets based on their magnetospheric responses.

Contribution

It introduces the concept that stellar CME-induced polarity reversals can differentiate planets with intrinsic magnetic fields from those without, based on magnetospheric behavior.

Findings

Polarity reversals are more frequent in unmagnetised planets during stellar storms.

Mass loss rates depend on the orientation of stellar and planetary magnetic fields.

Magnetospheric polarity reversals can serve as indicators of planetary magnetic field presence.

Abstract

Exoplanetary and planetary environments are forced by stellar activity which manifest through variable radiation, particle and magnetic fluxes, stellar winds, flares and magnetic storms known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Recent studies have shown that (exo)planets with intrinsic magnetic fields and magnetospheres respond differently to this stellar forcing compared to planets which lack an intrinsic magnetism; this is borne out by observations in solar system planets. However, detailed investigations to uncover the subtle ways in which stellar magnetic storms impact exoplanets are still at a nascent stage. Here we utilize 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations to investigate the impact of stellar CMEs on Earth-like planets with different magnetic fields. Our results show that planetary atmospheric mass loss rates are dependent on the relative orientation of stellar wind and planetary magnetic fields, with significantly higher losses when the CME and planetary magnetic fields are oppositely oriented -- favoring enhanced magnetic reconnections. In contrast, for unmagnetised planets, the mass loss rate do not strongly depend on stellar magnetic field orientation. More significantly, we find that stellar CME induced polarity reversals can distinguish between planets with and without intrinsic magnetism. In unmagnetised or weakly magnetised (exo)planets, the polarity of the externally imposed magnetosphere are prone to global polarity reversals forced by stellar magnetised storms. Our analysis of the magnetotail current density dynamics during polarity reversals aligns with observations of Venus. This distinction in magnetospheric response provides a new paradigm to differentiate between (exo)planets with or without significant (intrinsic) magnetic fields.