An Introduction to Stellar Magnetic Activity

This book provides an introduction to our current knowledge of stellar magnetic activity. It is intended for graduate or advanced undergraduate students or researchers new to the field. Starting with the Sun, it extends to stars of all masses and ages. Topics include the production and measurement of the fields themselves, their effects on the stellar atmospheres, the diagnostics we use to understand them, and the effects of the magnetic activity on the star and its surrounds over time. This field is rapidly advancing, and the book will serve as an initial resource for those new to the area, or as an overview for those already involved who want a wider or historical perspective, along with suggestions as to which directions that new research might take.

Key Features:

• Provides simple physical explanations of the diagnostics used to understand stellar activity

• Takes a historical approach to the subject, including a look to the future

• Refers to milestone articles, with an explanation of their importance

• Contains numerous diagrams, images, and videos

• Uses simple language to convey the science

Gibor Basri has been a Professor of Astrophysics at UC Berkeley for 40 years (now Emeritus), and is the author of more than 200 technical papers and reviews. He has served on grant and telescope time selection committees for NASA, NSF, Keck and Lick Observatories. He has held a Miller Professorship, a NASA Faculty Fellowship, and a Sigma Xi Distinguished Lectureship. He is also a recipient of the Carl Sagan Award for Popularizing Science.