Magnetic field and wind of kappa ceti: toward the planetary habitability of the young sun when life arose on earth

Abstract

We report magnetic field measurements for κ1 Cet, a proxy of the young Sun when life arose on Earth. We carry out an analysis of the magnetic properties determined from spectropolarimetric observations and reconstruct the large-scale surface magnetic field to derive the magnetic environment, stellar winds, and particle flux permeating the interplanetary medium around k1 Cet. Our results show a closer magnetosphere and mass-loss rate of M˙ = 9.7 ´ 10-13 M yr-1  , i.e., a factor of 50 times larger than the current solar wind mass-loss rate, resulting in a larger interaction via space weather disturbances between the stellar wind and a hypothetical young-Earth analogue, potentially affecting the planet’s habitability. Interaction of the wind from the young Sun with the planetary ancient magnetic field may have affected the young Earth and its life conditions