Simulations of facular magnetic fields on cool stars I: Main sequence stars with solar metallicity

TL;DR

This study uses 3D radiative MHD simulations to explore how faculae-like magnetic fields influence near-surface convection and thermodynamics in cool main-sequence stars of various types, revealing effects dependent on stellar properties.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of the impact of faculae-like magnetic fields on stellar surface convection across different main-sequence star types using advanced simulations.

Findings

Magnetic fields reduce surface gas pressure and density.

Temperature stratification shows a dip near the surface.

Convective velocities decrease with magnetic field strength.

Abstract

Stellar convection in the presence of magnetic field affects the emergent intensity, as well as the structure and evolution of cool main-sequence dwarfs. We aim to understand the effect of faculae-like field strengths on near-surface stellar convection using 3D radiative MHD simulations of near-surface magneto-convection. We compare simulations of F, G, K and M main-sequence stars with a small-scale dynamo (SSD) to faculae-like spatially averaged field strengths (from 100 to 500 G). We focus on the effect of imposed magnetic field on the thermodynamic stratification and velocities, along with the bolometric intensity and surface field strength. Imposed magnetic fields result in reduced average density and gas pressure near the surface compared to the SSD simulations. The temperature stratification also shows a dip at and just below the stellar surface. The changes in average bolometric intensity are within a percent, with different trends with field strength for different stellar types. In addition, the convective velocities are reduced. The magnitude of changes in thermodynamic quantities are related to field strength as well as the stellar $T_{\rm eff}$. Faculae-strength magnetic fields modify the near surface convection by reducing gas pressure and density as well as suppressing convection in regions with strong field concentrations. The strength of these effects depends on the stellar type.