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New Study Reveals Magnetic Cycle of Iota Horologii

11/9/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Scientists used the Solar Orbiter and HARPS at La Silla Observatory to study Iota Horologii and determine its magnetic cycle lasts 2.1 years, producing the first butterfly diagram for a star beyond the Sun.
The butterfly diagram shows Sun-like magnetic activity in Iota Horologii.
The study advances understanding of the Sun's magnetic cycle and aims to build a database of Sun-like stars.
The Astrophysical Journal Letters published the findings.

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Story summary

Scientists used the Solar Orbiter and HARPS at La Silla Observatory to study Iota Horologii and determine its magnetic cycle lasts 2.1 years, producing the first butterfly diagram for a star beyond the Sun.
The butterfly diagram shows Sun-like magnetic activity in Iota Horologii.
The study advances understanding of the Sun's magnetic cycle and aims to build a database of Sun-like stars.
The Astrophysical Journal Letters published the findings.