Mean Longitudinal Field Research Articles

Searching for magnetic fields in pulsating A-type stars: the discovery of a strong field in the probable δ Sct star HD 340577 and a null result for the γ Dor star HR 8799

ABSTRACT Numerous δ Sct and γ Dor pulsators are identified in the region of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram that is occupied by chemically peculiar magnetic Ap stars. The connection between δ Sct and γ Dor pulsations and the magnetic field in Ap stars is however not clear: theory suggests for magnetic Ap stars some critical field strengths for pulsation mode suppression by computing the magnetic damping effect for selected p and g modes. To test these theoretical considerations, we obtained PEPSI spectropolarimetric snapshots of the typical Ap star HD 340577, for which δ Sct-like pulsations were recently detected in Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data, and the γ Dor pulsator HR 8799, which is a remarkable system with multiple planets and two debris discs. Our measurements reveal the presence of a magnetic field with a strength of several hundred Gauss in HD 340577. The measured mean longitudinal field would be the strongest field measured so far in a δ Sct star if the pulsational character of HD 340577 is confirmed spectroscopically. No magnetic field is detected in HR 8799.

HD 213258: A new rapidly oscillating, super slowly rotating, strongly magnetic Ap star in a spectroscopic binary

We report on HD 213258, an Ap star that we recently identified as presenting a unique combination of rare, remarkable properties. Our study of this star is based on ESPaDOnS Stokes I and V data obtained at seven epochs spanning a time interval slightly shorter than 2 yr, on TESS data, and on radial velocity measurements from the CORAVEL data base. We confirm that HD 213258, which was originally suspected to be an F str λ 4077 star, is definitely an Ap star. We found that, in its spectrum, the Fe IIλ 6149.2 Å line is resolved into its two magnetically split components. The mean magnetic field modulus of HD 213258, ⟨B⟩∼3.8 kG, which we determined from this splitting, does not show significant variations over ∼2 yr. Comparing our mean longitudinal field determinations with a couple of measurements from the literature, we show that the stellar rotation period is likely of the order of 50 yr, with a reversal of the field polarity. Moreover, HD 213258 is a rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star, in which high overtone pulsations with a period of 7.58 min are detected. Finally, we confirm that HD 213258 has a mean radial velocity exceeding (in absolute value) that of at least 99% of Ap stars. The radial velocity shows low amplitude variations, which suggests that the star is a single-line spectroscopic binary. It is also a known astrometric binary. While its orbital elements remain to be determined, its orbital period is likely one of the shortest known for a binary roAp star. Its secondary is close to the borderline between stellar and substellar objects. There is a significant probability that it is a brown dwarf. The pair represents a combination that has never been observed before. Most of the above-mentioned properties taken in isolation are only observed in a small fraction of the whole population of Ap stars. Thus, the probability that a single star possesses all of them is extremely low. This makes HD 213258 an exceptionally interesting object that deserves to be studied in detail in the future.

Finding magnetic north: an extraordinary magnetic field detection in Polaris and first results of a magnetic survey of classical Cepheids

ABSTRACT Classical Cepheids are essential objects in the study of stellar evolution and cosmology; however, we know little about their magnetic properties. We report the detection of Stokes V features interpreted as Zeeman signatures in four classical Cepheids using high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations obtained with ESPaDOnS at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. Eight observations of η Aql were acquired in 2017 covering its 7.2 d pulsation period, and single observations of Polaris, ζ Gem, δ Cep, and RT Aur were obtained in 2020 as part of our ongoing systematic survey. We use mean circular polarization Stokes V profiles generated using the least-squares deconvolution procedure to diagnose Zeeman signatures and measure mean longitudinal field strengths 〈Bz〉. We detect magnetic signatures across all pulsation phases of η Aql (−0.89 ± 0.47 G$\, \lt \langle B_{z}\rangle \lt 1.27\pm 0.40$ G), as well as in the single observations of Polaris (0.59 ± 0.16 G), ζ Gem (0.41 ± 0.16 G), and δ Cep (0.43 ± 0.19 G). The Stokes V profile of Polaris is detected at extremely high signal-to-noise ratio and implies a complex magnetic field topology. It stands in stark contrast to all other detected Stokes V profiles, which show unusual approximately unipolar positive circular polarization lobes analogous to those observed in some Am stars.

The anomalous atmospheric structure of the strongly magnetic Ap star HD 166473

ABSTRACT High-resolution spectropolarimetric observations of the strongly magnetic, superslowly rotating rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 166473 are used to investigate the implications of the presence of a variable strong magnetic field on the vertical and surface horizontal distribution of various chemical elements. The analysis of the calculated least-squares deconvolution Stokes I and V profiles confirms the previously reported detection of non-uniform horizontal surface distribution of several chemical elements. To test the vertical abundance stratification of iron peak and rare earth elements, magnetic field measurements were carried out using spectral lines of these elements belonging to neutral and ionized stages. We find clear indication of the existence of a relation between the magnetic field strength and its orientation and vertical element stratification: magnetic field values obtained for elements in different stages close to the magnetic equator are rather similar, whereas the dispersion in field strengths is remarkably large in the regions close to magnetic field poles. At the phases of negative and positive extrema the mean longitudinal field strength determined from the analysis of the rare-earth element lines is usually stronger than when using Fe and Cr. The strongest mean longitudinal magnetic field, up to −4160 ± 226 G, is detected using the La ii line list at the negative extremum, followed by the measurements using the Pr iii lines with 〈Bz〉=−3740 ± 343 G and the Ce ii lines with 〈Bz〉 = −3372 ± 247 G. The strongest mean longitudinal magnetic field of positive polarity, up to 3584 ± 354 G is detected using the Pr iii lines, followed by the measurement 〈Bz〉 = 2517 ± 249 G using the Ce ii lines.

HD 965: An extremely peculiar A star with an extremely long rotation period

Context. One of the keys to understanding the origin of Ap stars and their significance in the general context of stellar astrophysics is by considering the most extreme properties displayed by some of them. For this reason, HD 965 is particularly interesting as it combines some of the most pronounced chemical peculiarities with one of the longest rotation periods known. Aims. We characterise the variations of the magnetic field of the Ap star HD 965 and derive constraints about its structure. Methods. We combined published measurements of the mean longitudinal field ⟨Bz⟩ of HD 965 with new determinations of this field moment from circular spectropolarimetry obtained at the 6-m telescope BTA of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. For the mean magnetic field modulus ⟨B⟩, literature data were complemented by the analysis of ESO archive spectra. Results. We present the first determination of the rotation period of HD 965, Prot = (16.5 ± 0.5) yr. The star HD 965 is only the third Ap star with a period longer than ten years for which magnetic field measurements have been obtained over more than a full cycle. The variation curve of ⟨Bz⟩ is well approximated by a cosine wave. Furthermore, ⟨B⟩ does not show any significant variation. The observed behaviour of these field moments is well represented by a simple model consisting of the superposition of collinear dipole, quadrupole, and octupole. The distribution of neodymium over the surface of HD 965 is highly non-uniform. The element appears concentrated around the magnetic poles, especially the negative one. Conclusions. The shape of the longitudinal magnetic variation curve of HD 965 indicates that its magnetic field is essentially symmetric about an axis passing through the centre of the star. Overall, HD 965 appears similar to the bulk of the long-period Ap stars, as far as its magnetic field is concerned.

Variation of the magnetic field of the Ap star HD 50169 over its 29-year rotation period

Context. The Ap stars that rotate extremely slowly, with periods of decades to centuries, represent one of the keys to the understanding of the processes leading to the differentiation of stellar rotation. Aims. We characterise the variations of the magnetic field of the Ap star HD 50169 and derive constraints about its structure. Methods. We combined published measurements of the mean longitudinal field ⟨Bz⟩ of HD 50169 with new determinations of this field moment from circular spectropolarimetry obtained at the 6m telescope BTA of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. For the mean magnetic field modulus ⟨B⟩, literature data were complemented by the analysis of ESO spectra, both newly acquired and from the archive. Radial velocities were also obtained from these spectra. Results. We present the first determination of the rotation period of HD 50169, Prot = 29.04 ± 0.82 yr. HD 50169 is currently the longest-period Ap star for which magnetic field measurements have been obtained over more than a full cycle. The variation curves of both ⟨Bz⟩ and ⟨B⟩ have a significant degree of anharmonicity, and there is a definite phase shift between their respective extrema. We confirm that HD 50169 is a wide spectroscopic binary, refine its orbital elements, and suggest that the secondary is probably a dwarf star of spectral type M. Conclusions. The shapes and mutual phase shifts of the derived magnetic variation curves unquestionably indicate that the magnetic field of HD 50169 is not symmetric about an axis passing through its centre. Overall, HD 50169 appears similar to the bulk of the long-period Ap stars.

Monitoring and modelling of white dwarfs with extremely weak magnetic fields

Magnetic fields are detected in a few percent of white dwarfs. The number of such magnetic white dwarfs known is now some hundreds. Fields range in strength from a few kG to several hundred MG. Almost all the known magnetic white dwarfs have a mean field modulus >= 1 MG. We are trying to fill a major gap in observational knowledge at the low field limit (<= 200 kG) using circular spectro-polarimetry. In this paper we report the discovery and monitoring of strong, periodic magnetic variability in two previously discovered "super-weak field" magnetic white dwarfs, WD2047+372 and WD2359-434. WD2047+372 has a mean longitudinal field that reverses between about -12 and +15 kG, with a period of 0.243 d, while its mean field modulus appears nearly constant at 60 kG. The observations can be intepreted in terms of a dipolar field tilted with respect to the stellar rotation axis. WD2359-434 always shows a weak positive longitudinal field with values between about 0 and +12 kG, varying only weakly with stellar rotation, while the mean field modulus varies between about 50 and 100 kG. The rotation period is found to be 0.112 d using the variable shape of the Halpha line core, consistent with available photometry. The field of this star appears to be much more complex than a dipole, and is probably not axisymmetric. Available photometry shows that WD2359-434 is a light variable with an amplitude of only 0.005 mag, our own photometry shows that if WD2047+372 is photometrically variable, the amplitude is below about 0.01 mag. These are the first models for magnetic white dwarfs with fields below about 100 kG based on magnetic measurements through the full stellar rotation. They reveal two very different magnetic surface configurations, and that, contrary to simple ohmic decay theory, WD2359-434 has a much more complex surface field than the much younger WD2047+372.

Weak magnetic fields in central stars of planetary nebulae?

It is not yet clear whether magnetic fields play an essential role in shaping planetary nebulae (PNe), or whether stellar rotation alone and/or a close binary companion can account for the variety of the observed nebular morphologies. In a quest for empirical evidence verifying or disproving the role of magnetic fields in shaping PNe, we follow up on previous attempts to measure the magnetic field in a representative sample of PN central stars. We obtained low-resolution polarimetric spectra with FORS 2 at VLT for a sample of twelve bright central stars of PNe with different morphology, including two round nebulae, seven elliptical nebulae, and three bipolar nebulae. Two targets are Wolf-Rayet type central stars. For the majority of the observed central stars, we do not find any significant evidence for the existence of surface magnetic fields. However, our measurements may indicate the presence of weak mean longitudinal magnetic fields of the order of 100 Gauss in the central star of the young elliptical planetary nebula IC 418, as well as in the Wolf-Rayet type central star of the bipolar nebula Hen2-113 and the weak emission line central star of the elliptical nebula Hen2-131. A clear detection of a 250 G mean longitudinal field is achieved for the A-type companion of the central star of NGC 1514. Some of the central stars show a moderate night-to-night spectrum variability, which may be the signature of a variable stellar wind and/or rotational modulation due to magnetic features. We conclude that strong magnetic fields of the order of kG are not widespread among PNe central stars. Nevertheless, simple estimates based on a theoretical model of magnetized wind bubbles suggest that even weak magnetic fields below the current detection limit of the order of 100 G may well be sufficient to contribute to the shaping of PNe throughout their evolution.

Magnetic properties of three cool CP stars with strong fields

AbstractThe study of magnetic fields of cool chemically peculiar stars with effective temperatures less than 10 000 K is very important to understand the nature of their magnetism. We present new results of a long‐term spectroscopic monitoring of the well‐known magnetic star HD 178892. The analysis of spectra taken with the Russian 6‐m telescope has revealed a periodic variation of the surface magnetic field from 17 to 23 kG. A revised rotational period of HD 178892 was extracted from the mean longitudinal field: 8.2549 days. We have continued the study of the components of the magnetic binary BD +40°175 started by V. Elkin at SAO RAS. Our measurements of magnetically splitted lines in the spectra of each component show the presence of strong magnetic fields in both components. The surface field in the case of the component A was about 14 kG at three different epochs. The component B possesses a slightly weaker field: Bs varies from 9 to 11 kG. A preliminary analysis of the chemical abundances allows us to make an assumption about the roAp nature of both components of BD +40°175 (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Observing and Modelling Stellar Magnetic Fields

In this chapter, we examine the question of how spectropo- larimetric observations of magnetic stars may be modelled, and how modelling techniques may be used to extract much detailed informa- tion about the stellar magnetic field and other characteristics of the magnetized stellar atmosphere. In the preceding chapter, we discussed how the energy levels of atoms are split by a magnetic field, and how this leads in turn to splitting of spectral lines in to multiple components, an effect called the Zeeman or Paschen-Back effect depending on the field strength. We saw that the polarisation characteristics of these components provide valuable tools for detection and measurement of stellar magnetic fields, and that polarisation measurements allow one to obtain, in a straight-forward way, an estimate of the mean line-of-sight field component averaged over the visible hemisphere (the mean longitudinal field h Bzi ). We also saw that, if the field is large enough and ve sin i small enough, observation of splitting of spectral lines into discrete components makes it possible to estimate the mean field modulus h Bi , again averaged over the visible hemisphere. Finally, we looked at some simple multipole models of stellar field structure that can reproduce simple data-sets such as observed values of h Bzi , or of h Bzi and h Bi , over a stellar rotation, and how these models lead to the fundamental conceptual model known as the oblique rotator. Determination of mean field values directly from the spectra (in the same way as radial velocities and projected rotation velocities are derived), and the modelling of such integral or moment data with simple geometric field structures, provide a useful and valuable source of information about global characteristics of the stellar field. However, such models are based on data-sets that are often

Observing and Modelling Stellar Magnetic Fields

This and the following two chapters present a general introduction to the subject of observing magnetic fields in stars using spectropolarimetry. The three chapters will consider (1) the basic physics of the Zeeman and related effects, direct deductions about stellar magnetic fields that may be made where this effect is detected, and how such measurements have provided much information about the Sun and other magnetic stars; (2) how spectropolarimetric observations of magnetic stars may be modelled, and how such techniques may be used to extract much detailed information about the stellar magnetic field and other characteristics of the magnetized stellar atmosphere; and (3) how other magnetic effects such as the Hanle effect and continuum polarisation may be used to detect fields in a variety of stellar types such as white dwarfs, and how the current body of observational knowledge about magnetic stars may be integrated into a roughly coherent, provisional scenario of field origin and evolution. In this chapter we survey the physics of an atom in a magnetic field (the Zeeman effect and its relatives), and identify ways in which magnetic effects on the atomic energy level structure may be used to detect and characterise stellar magnetic fields. We survey some of the basic features of magnetism in the Sun. We then describe how the available data may be used to deduce simple averages of various magnetic quantities over the stellar surface (for example, the “mean longitudinal field”) and how such simple field measurements are used to develop and explore the “oblique (dipole) rotator model” of magnetism for a group of middle main sequence stars called the “magnetic Ap stars”.

Searching for links between magnetic fields and stellar evolution

Context. A small fraction of upper main sequence stars have strong, highly structured magnetic fields. The origin and evolution of these fields are not adequately understood. Aims. We are carrying out a survey of magnetic fields in Ap stars in open clusters in order to obtain the first sample of magnetic upper main sequence stars with precisely known ages. These data will constrain theories of field evolution in these stars. Methods. A survey of candidate open cluster magnetic Ap stars was carried out using the new ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at the CFHT. This instrument provides an alternative to the FORS1 spectropolarimeter used up to now for this survey. Results. We have obtained 44 measurements of the mean longitudinal fields Bz# of 23 B6 ‐ A2 stars that have been identified as possible Ap stars and that are possible members of open clusters, with a median uncertainty of about 45 G. Of these stars, 10 have definite field detections. Nine stars of our sample are found not to be magnetic Ap stars. These observations significantly increase the information available about low-mass stars near the TAMS compared to our previous sample. Conclusions. We find that ESPaDOnS provides field measurements comparable to those that we have previously obtained with FORS1, and that these data also contain a large amount of useful information not readily obtained from lower resolution spectropolarimetry. With the new data we are able to expand the available data on low-mass, relatively evolved Ap stars, and identify more robustly which observed stars are actually magnetic Ap stars and cluster members. Re-analysis of the enlarged data set of cluster Ap stars indicates that such stars with masses in the range of 2 ‐ 5 M$ show RMS fields larger than about 1 kG only when they are near the ZAMS. The time scale on which these large fields disappear varies strongly with mass, ranging from about 250 Myr for stars of 2 ‐3 M$ to 15 Myr for stars of 4 ‐ 5 M$ . Our data are consistent either with emergent flux conservation for most (but not all) Ap stars, or with modest decline in flux with age.

Magnetic anisotropy in arrays of Ni, CoFeB, and Ni/Cu nanowires

An effective field model based on intrawire and interwire dipolar interactions has been developed in order to describe the magnetic anisotropy in arrays of homogeneous and multilayer nanowires. Variable angle ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) characterization techniques were used to determine the effective interaction field acting on Ni, CoFeB, and Ni/Cu nanowires. FMR spectra are well described by a rigid magnetization model and VSM data are in rough agreement with a mean longitudinal field model. FMR and VSM values of the effective fields are mutually consistent and in fair agreement with the values calculated with the model. The results show that the anisotropy of our arrays is strongly dominated by the dipolar interactions.

A high-precision search for magnetic field oscillations in the roAp star HD 24712

We have obtained a time series of 81 high-cadence circular polarization observations of the rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 24712 with the new ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at CFHT. We used the high-S/N, high-resolution Stokes I and V spectra to investigate possible variation of the mean longitudinal field over the pulsation cycle in this roAp star. Our multiline magnetic field and radial velocity measurements utilized 143 spectral lines of rare-earth elements, attaining precision better than 13 G and 19 m s -1 , respectively. A multiperiodic radial velocity variation with an amplitude of 40–136 m s -1 is clearly detected at the known pulsation frequencies of HD 24712. At the same time, no evidence for pulsational changes of the magnetic field can be found. We derive a $3\sigma$ upper limit of 10 G, or about 1% of the mean longitudinal field strength, for magnetic field oscillations in the upper atmosphere of HD 24712. The absence of detectable pulsational variability of the magnetic field provides a valuable constraint for the interaction between pulsations and magnetic field in roAp stars and is compatible with the recent predictions of detailed theoretical models of stellar magnetoacoustic oscillations.

Spectropolarimetry of the Classical T Tauri Star T Tauri

High-resolution (R ≈ 60,000) circular spectropolarimetry of the classical T Tauri star T Tau is presented. The star was observed on 1997 November 21 and 22. Analyzing 12 photospheric absorption lines, the mean longitudinal magnetic field is found to be Bz = 12 ± 35 G. The 3 σ upper limit of |Bz| ≤ 105 G. Previously, T Tau was reported to have a mean longitudinal field of 160 ± 40 G. A strong mean magnetic field (~2.4 kG) has been reported on the surface of T Tau based on Zeeman broadening measurements in unpolarized light. The present observations indicate that it is very unlikely that this field is dipolar in nature. In order to verify the observing techniques and analysis methods used on T Tau, spectra of the Sun obtained by observing the asteroid Vesta are analyzed in the same fashion. Here the mean longitudinal field is Bz = -4 ± 3 G, which is well within the limits of previous observations. As a further check on our results, we also present data for the magnetic Ap star 53 Cam, which gives a mean longitudinal magnetic field that agrees well with the published field variations for this star.

HD 178892 – a cool Ap star with extremely strong magnetic field

We report a discovery of the Zeeman resolved spectral lines, corresponding to the extremely large magnetic field modulus $\langle B_{\rm s}\rangle$ = 17.5 kG, in the cool Ap star HD 178892. The mean longitudinal field of this star reaches 7.5 kG, and its rotational modulation implies the strength of the dipolar magnetic component $B_{\rm p}\ge$ 23 kG. We have revised rotation period of the star using the All Sky Automated Survey photometry and determined P = 8.2478 d. Rotation phases of the magnetic and photometric maxima of the star coincide with each other. We obtained Geneva photometric observation of HD 178892 and estimated T eff = $7700\pm250$ K using photometry and the hydrogen Balmer lines. Preliminary abundance analysis reveals abundance pattern typical of rapidly oscillating Ap stars.

Discovery of a huge magnetic field in the very young star NGC 2244-334 in the Rosette Nebula cluster

During a survey of field strengths in upper main sequence stars in open clusters, we observed the star NGC 2244-334 in the Rosette Nebula cluster and discovered an extraordinarily large mean longitudinal field of about −9 kG, the second largest longitudinal field known in a non-degenerate star. This star appears to be a typical Ap He-wk (Si) star of about 4 M� . Spectrum synthesis using a line synthesis code incorporating the effects of the strong magnetic field indicates that He is underabundant by about 1.5 dex, and C, O and Mg by about 0.1-0.4 dex, while Si, Mn and Fe are overabundant by about 1 dex, and Cr and Ti are nearly 2 dex overabundant. Cluster membership for this star is secure, so its age is about 2 × 10 6 yr, which is less than 3% of its main sequence lifetime. This star is one of the very youngest magnetic upper main sequence stars with a well-determined age, and confirms that both magnetic fields and strong chemical peculiarity can appear in stars which are both extremely young and very close to the ZAMS.

New measurements of magnetic fields of roAp stars with FORS 1 at the VLT

Magnetic fields play a key role in the pulsations of rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars since they are a necessary in- gredient of all pulsation excitation mechanisms proposed so far. This implies that the proper understanding of the seismological behaviour of the roAp stars requires knowledge of their magnetic fields. However, the magnetic fields of the roAp stars are not well studied. Here we present new results of measurements of the mean longitudinal field of 14 roAp stars obtained from low resolution spectropolarimetry with FORS 1 at the VLT.

Measuring magnetic fields of early-type stars with $\vec{FORS{\it 1}}$ at the $\vec{VLT}$

This paper describes an experiment aimed at evaluating the capability of the FORS1 instrument at the VLT for measuring weak (0.1%) Zeeman circular polarization signatures in stellar H Balmer lines. We have obtained low-resolution polarized spectra at 3500–5800 Å of two bright A-type stars, HD 94660, and HD 96441. The former is a well known magnetic star, the latter an apparently non-magnetic, unpolarized star that was observed for comparison purposes. In order to test the possibility of performing multi-object spectropolarimetric measurements (e.g., for cluster studies), observations were taken both on-axis (i.e., at the CCD field center) and off-axis (i.e., at the edges of the CCD). In HD 94660 (the magnetic star), we detected a clear signal of circular polarization in all observed hydrogen Balmer lines (i.e., from Hβ to the Balmer limit), with a typical peak-to-peak amplitude of about 0.8%. From the analysis of Stokes V under the weak-field approximation, we have estimated a mean longitudinal field of G, a value fully consistent with previous studies of this star. Notably, we found that at wavelengths shorter than about 4100 Å, the polarization signal detected off-axis is about 20–30% smaller than that detected on-axis. No polarization due to the Zeeman effect was detected in the comparison star HD 96441, and we estimate that the contribution due to instrumental circular polarization is limited to the order of . This experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of FORS1 at the VLT as a tool for high-sensitivity diagnosis of the magnetic field in upper main sequence stars, providing the potential for measuring fields in fainter and more rapidly rotating stars than has previously been possible.

Precise Spectropolarimetric Measurements of Magnetic Fields on Some Solar‐like Stars

Results of precision measurements of the net longitudinal component of magnetic field strength (Be) performed for Procyon (α CMi, F5 IV-V) and three solar-type stars—β Com (G0 V), ζ Her (F9 IV), β Aql (G8 IV)—are reported. All stars observed are weak solarlike activity analogs. We outline an improved observational technique (Stokesmeter plus CCD detector) and data reduction process that permits determination of the mean longitudinal field strength, Be, with an accuracy within the range 1-5 G. The average value of Be=-1.34±1.0 G was estimated for Procyon using 10 spectral lines in the region 6285-6350 A. A substantial magnetic field value was detected on only one occasion for ζ Her: Be=-10.1±3.1 G.