The solar proxy k1 Cet and the planetary habitability around the young Sun

DÍAZ DO NASCIMENTO, J.; VIDOTTO, A.; PASCAL, P.; FOLSOM, C.; PORTO DE MELLO, G.F.; MEIBOM, S.; ABREVAYA, X.C.; RIBAS, I.; CASTRO, M.; MARSDEN, S. C.; MORIN, J.; JEFFERS, S.V.; GUINAN, E.; B COOL COLLABORATION

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union

Cambridge University Press

Año: 2016

1743-9213

Among the solar proxies,κ1 Cet, stands out as potentially having a mass very closeto solar and a young age. We report magnetic field measurements and planetary habitabilityconsequences around this star, a proxy of the young Sun when life arose on Earth. Magneticstrength was determined from spectropolarimetric observations and we reconstruct the largescalesurface magnetic field to derive the magnetic environment, stellar winds, and particle fluxpermeating the interplanetary medium aroundκ1 Cet. Our results show a closer magnetosphereand mass-loss rate 50 times larger than the current solar wind mass-loss rate when Life arose onEarth, resulting in a larger interaction via space weather disturbances between the stellar windand a hypothetical young-Earth analogue, potentially affecting the habitability. Interaction ofthe wind from the young Sun with the planetary ancient magnetic field may have affected theyoung Earth and its life conditions.