A search for weak longitudinal magnetic fields on late-type stars

Abstract

Accurate measurements of the mean longitudinal component of the photospheric magnetic field for 26 late-type stars have been obtained by a multiline Zeeman polarimetric technique. None except those chosen as magnetic standards exhibits clear evidence of a magnetic field, although three show marginally significant polarizations. The multiline Zeeman polarimetric technique is shown to be an extraordinarily sensitive method for the detection of magnetic fields on cool stars.