Stellar magnetism influences the radiative, particulate, and magnetic output of stars across a vast diversity of time scales ranging from seconds, decades, to millennia and indeed stellar and planetary evolutionary timescales. This magnetically mediated activity has profound influence on stellar astrospheres and the (exo)planets within them. In recent times, space-based observations from our own solar system, other exoplanetary systems and novel computational modelling approaches have revealed the varied and rich new physics at play that bridges stellar magnetism to planetary impacts.
Understanding the impact of stellar magnetism on (exo)planets is a rapidly developing but challenging field – given the broad and complex interdisciplinary approach necessary for holistic progress. This necessitates research on the evolution of stellar magnetism, its modulation of stellar radiation, plasma winds, energetic particle fluxes and magnetic storms, and the impact of these phenomena on the space environment and habitability of (exo)planets. The importance and timeliness of this interdisciplinary field is reflected in the International Astronomical Union establishing a new Commission E4 named “Impact of Magnetic Activity on Solar and Stellar Environments” to develop capacity in this domain. This workshop is intended to build capacity and spur the development of this interdisciplinary field of wide relevance to all of astrophysics.
Objectives of the Workshop:
In this workshop the objective is to take stock of the current status of the field, discuss outstanding challenges, envision potential future research directions, and brainstorm necessary space missions and observations that can spur the development of this emerging area of research with footprints across solar and stellar physics, heliospheric physics, and (exo)planetary sciences.
The Workshop will cover the following main themes:
1. Stellar variability of relevance to (exo)planets
2. Forcing of heliospheric and astrospheric environments
3. Star-planet interactions: Planetary space weather to atmospheric evolution
4. Magnetism and stellar forcing: Consequences for (exo)planetary habitability
On behalf of the conveners R. Fares, S. Järvinen, E. Isik, H. Korhonen, C. Mandrini, D. Nand, K. Vida