Ultraviolet spectropolarimetry with Polstar: using Polstar to test magnetospheric mass-loss quenching

Polstar is a proposed NASA MIDEX space telescope that will provide high-resolution, simultaneous full-Stokes spectropolarimetry in the far ultraviolet, together with low-resolution linear polarimetry in the near ultraviolet. This observatory offers unprecedented capabilities to obtain unique information on the magnetic and plasma properties of the magnetospheres of hot stars. We describe an observing program making use of the known population of magnetic hot stars to test the fundamental hypothesis that magnetospheres should act to rapidly drain angular momentum, thereby spinning the star down, whilst simultaneously reducing the net mass-loss rate. Both effects are expected to lead to dramatic differences in the evolution of magnetic vs. non-magnetic stars.

Automated summary

Polstar is a proposed NASA space telescope that can provide high-resolution full-Stokes spectropolarimetry in the far ultraviolet and low-resolution linear polarimetry in the near ultraviolet. This telescope offers unique capabilities to study the magnetic and plasma properties of hot stars and test the fundamental hypothesis about their magnetospheres.