Short-term variations of surface magnetism and prominences of the young Sun-like star V530 Per

Abstract

Aims. We investigate magnetic tracers in the photosphere and the chromosphere of the ultra-rapid rotator (P ~ 0.32 d) V530 Per, a cool member of the open cluster α Persei, to characterize the short-term variability of the magnetic activity and large-scale magnetic field of this prototypical young, rapidly rotating solar-like star. Methods. With time-resolved spectropolarimetric observations spread over four close-by nights, we reconstructed the brightness distribution and large-scale magnetic field geometry of V530 Per through Zeeman-Doppler imaging. Simultaneously, we estimated the short-term variability of the surface through latitudinal differential rotation. Using the same data set, we also mapped the spatial distribution of prominences through tomography of Hα emission. Results. As in our previous study, a large dark spot occupies the polar region of V530 Per with smaller, dark, and bright spots at lower latitudes. The large-scale magnetic field is dominated by a toroidal, mostly axisymmetric component. The maximal radial field strength is equal to ~1 kG. The surface differential rotation is consistent with a smooth Sun-like shear dΩ = 0.053 ± 0.004 rad d−1, close to the solar shear level. The prominence pattern displays a stable component that is confined close to the corotation radius. We also observe rapidly evolving Hα emitting structures, over timescales ranging from minutes to days. The fast Hα evolution was not linked to any detected photospheric changes in the spot or magnetic coverage.