Rotation, Accretion, and Magnetic Activity in Pre-Main Sequence Stars

• Applicant: Frederic Hessman, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 52937630

We propose to probe the rotational evolution of young stars, a process of fundamental interest but still not well-understood in detail. Our particular interest is in the connection between stellar angular momentum, magnetospheric accretion from circumstellar disks and dynamo-induced magnetic activity. Long-term monitoring of pre-main sequence stars is possible with robotic telescopes over timescales which have not yet been accessible. The use of automatic long-term observations and selected broad- and small-band filters will enable us to answer questions which previous short-term studies were unable to answer.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Stefan Dreizler; Professor Dr. Ansgar Reiners