Cool Stars 14 - Submitted Abstract # 278
This version created on 05 October 2006

Stellar Winds and the Evolution of Angular Momentum


Sidney C. Wolff, National Optical Astronomy Observatory

Stellar winds and the evolution of angular momentum are closely linked
because the rotation of a star is largely determined by the
interaction of a magnetic field with material either flowing onto, or
being lost from, the stellar surface.  The three invited papers in
this session will describe what is known about the solar wind,
summarize the observed correlations between stellar angular momentum,
winds, and disk properties for pre-main sequence stars, and discuss
the status of theoretical approaches to determining what physical
processes can account for the observed correlations.  This
introduction to the session will argue that:  1) the same mechanisms
that determine angular momentum in low mass stars are effective in
stars with masses of at least 12 solar masses and possibly as much as
50  solar masses;  2) we are approaching an explanation of why stars
of all masses rotate at the observed rates;  and 3) there may be a
relationship between rotation rates and the initial conditions
(environment) in which stars form.

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