First Direct Detection of Magnetic Fields in Starspots and Stellar Chromospheres

Abstract

Here we report on the first detection of circular polarization in molecular lines formed in cool magnetic regions (starspots) and in chromospheric emission lines formed in hot plages on the surfaces of active stars. Our survey of G-K-M stars included young main-sequence dwarfs and RS CVn-type giants and subgiants. All stars were found to possess surface magnetic fields producing Stokes V LSD signals in atomic lines of 0.05 to 0.5%. Several stars clearly showed circular polarization in molecular lines of 0.1 to 1%. The molecular Stokes V signal is reminiscent of that observed in sunspots. Chromospheric magnetic fields were detected on most active targets in Stokes V profiles of emission lines with peak polarization up to 2%. The observed molecular circular polarization on M dwarfs indicates single-polarity magnetic fields covering at least 10% of the stellar disk. Smaller signals on K stars imply that their magnetic fields are apparently weaker, more entangled than on M dwarfs, or more diluted by the bright photosphere.