magnetic variable star

astronomy

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June 30, 2026

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Magnetic variables are a type of star, mostly spectral type A, that exhibit small light variations and significant spectroscopic changes. These stars possess strong magnetic fields, typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand gauss. Their spectra often display intense lines of metals like manganese, titanium, and iron, which periodically change in intensity.1

It is believed that these stars rotate around an inclined axis, where the magnetic and rotation axes are not aligned. Different ions can be concentrated in various areas of the star's surface. While not all magnetic stars show light variability, their magnetic fields are often variable. These stars are a subclass of intrinsically variable stars, meaning their energy output fluctuates over time.123

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Peculiar variables
Spectrum and magnetic variables, mostly of spectral type A, show only small amplitudes of light variation but often pronounced spectroscopic changes. Their spectra typically show strong lines of metals such as manganese, titanium, iron, chromium, and the lanthanides (also called rare earths), which vary periodically in
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Spectrum and magnetic variables, mostly of spectral type A, show only small amplitudes of light variation but often pronounced spectroscopic changes. Their spectra typically show strong lines of metals such as manganese, titanium, iron, chromium, and the lanthanides (also called rare earths), which vary periodically in
Read More