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The Impact of Solar Magnetic Activity on Age Estimation

Astronomers have historically turned to helioseismology, the study of the Sun’s internal vibrations, to determine its age. However, new findings indicate that the Sun’s magnetic activity—driven by an 11-year cycle—complicates these age estimates. Research utilizing data from the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BISON) and NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), which spans over 26.5 years, has revealed a notable 6.5 percent discrepancy in the estimated age of the Sun, depending on whether observations were made during a solar minimum or maximum.

This variation, linked to fluctuations in the Sun’s magnetic properties, raises questions about the methods applied to determine the ages of other stars, especially those exhibiting strong magnetic fields.

How Magnetic Activity Alters Solar Age Perceptions

Recent research presented in a study from the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal suggests that the Sun’s magnetic activity has a more profound effect on age perception than previously acknowledged. The results indicate that during periods of heightened magnetic activity, the solar oscillations—monitored by instruments like BISON and GOLF (Global Oscillations at Low Frequency)—tend to suggest a younger age for the Sun as opposed to times of low magnetic activity.

The oscillations, which are generated by internal waves within the Sun, influence the star’s luminosity and surface movements. These characteristics are crucial for scientists trying to infer information about the Sun’s internal structure and age. However, the newfound influence of magnetic cycles on these readings challenges long-held beliefs that such activity would have a negligible effect on the principles of helioseismology.

Challenges for Future Stellar Observations

The ramifications of this phenomenon extend far beyond our solar system. With the European Space Agency’s comprehensive PLATO mission slated for launch in 2026, researchers are urged to factor in magnetic activity when estimating age, mass, and radius of remote stars. PLATO aims to identify transiting exoplanets and analyze asteroseismic oscillations similar to those produced by the Sun.

If magnetic activity significantly skews these observations as evidenced with our Sun, it may prompt a reassessment of previously collected data from missions such as NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. This situation presents a pressing challenge for the future of asteroseismology, necessitating the development of new methodologies to achieve accurate assessments of stellar ages, particularly for stars with heightened magnetic activity.

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