Systematic detection of magnetic fields in the cores of red giants

Abstract

In this presentation, we present the scientific context behind the detection of core magnetic fields in red giants. These fields are one of the most promising phenomena to explain the observed rotation rates in stellar interiors, which cannot be explained by a simple conservation of the angular momentum. Previous studies used specific methods to detect these fields, using specific samples of stars, which created a sgnificant amount of selection bias. In the presentation, we present a systematic method to characterize core magnetic fields in red giants with great confidence, while introducing the least amount of bias possible. We also go over significant results found using this method, and published in Villate et al. 2026.