A4 Plasma turbulence with an outer disturber: planet-induced stellar activity

Prof. Dr. Uwe Motschmann, Dr. Ansgar Reiners

Plasma flows and turbulence in stellar atmospheres and chromospheres can be disturbed by the presence of a planet in close orbit around the star, either through tidal interaction or direct magnetic interaction. Planet-induced stellar activity is one of the rare phenomena where the reaction of plasma turbulence on external forces can be studied. We propose to bring together substantial observational and theoretical expertise in order to (1) enlarge the currently rather sparse observational picture for enhanced chromospheric emission, and (2) develop MHD simulations covering the star and the planet as an interacting system.