[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/slider-comunicacio.jpg” max_height=”130px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”24px||11px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Unitats de recerca” module_class=”ieec-orgs” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700||on|||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”|700|||||||” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_font_size_phone=”26px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoiY3VzdG9tX21ldGFfb3JnYW5pemFjaW9uZXMiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImVuYWJsZV9odG1sIjoib2ZmIn19@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title author=”off” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”T\u00edtol i data” module_class=”ieec-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Cairo|300|||||||” title_font_size=”40px” meta_font=”||on||||||” meta_font_size=”16px” title_font_size_tablet=”35px” title_font_size_phone=”30px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subt\u00edtols” module_class=”ieec-summary” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Source Sans Pro||on||||||” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.1em” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”22px” text_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title title=”off” meta=”off” module_class=”ieec-img-container” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” border_width_top=”10px” border_color_top=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Artistic representation of GJ 436 b in the foreground and its host star in the background. <\/span>IAA-CSIC\/LampScience<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Magnetic fields play a fundamental role in the habitability of planets. On Earth, the magnetic field acts as a shield against the solar wind and contributes to the evolution of its atmosphere, a key condition for the existence of life. However, detecting and measuring these magnetic fields on planets located outside the Solar System remains one of the great challenges in astronomy.<\/span><\/p>\n Now, a study led by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)\u2014a body attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities\u2014with the participation of researchers from the <\/span>Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia<\/span><\/a> (IEEC) at the <\/span>Institute of Space Sciences<\/span><\/a> (ICE-CSIC), demonstrates for the first time, in a conclusive manner, that a planet can directly influence the behaviour of its star. This finding, published in the journal <\/span>Science<\/span><\/i>, provides the strongest evidence to date of the existence of a magnetic field on an exoplanet.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cIn particular, we have observed that GJ 436 b, a Neptune-like exoplanet orbiting very close to its star, causes regular changes in the brightness and energy emitted by the star at certain wavelengths,\u201d explains Daniel Revilla, a CSIC researcher at the <\/span>Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia<\/span><\/a> (IAA-CSIC), the institution leading the study.<\/span><\/p>\n Furthermore, by analysing how and when these variations occur in the star, the team has succeeded in estimating for the first time the intensity of the magnetic field of a planet of this type, opening a new path to study the properties and habitability of worlds beyond the Solar System.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMagnetic fields on extrasolar planets still represent a mystery, so it is highly valuable to be able to extract information using indirect methods, such as the modulation of stellar activity with the relative position of the planet. This type of study opens the way to the systematic exploration of these kinds of signals, which could be much more common than previously thought,\u201d states Daniele Vigan\u00f2, an IEEC researcher at the ICE-CSIC.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”section-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The presence of a magnetic field can influence the evolution of a planet because, by modulating the interaction between the stellar wind and the planetary atmosphere, it conditions processes related to its habitability. Earth is an example of this. Mars, by contrast, lost its intense global magnetic field billions of years ago, which contributed to the progressive loss of its atmosphere and, with it, much of the water it harboured in the past. Knowing whether exoplanets possess magnetic fields is, therefore, a key question for evaluating their potential habitability.<\/span><\/p>\n In this context, the study led by the IAA-CSIC has analysed sixteen years of high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the GJ 436 system, a low-mass star around which GJ 436 b orbits. The results provide new clues about the presence of magnetic fields in worlds located beyond the Solar System.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUntil recently, it was thought that it was mainly the star that influenced the planet, but our results provide the clearest evidence to date of something that had already been suspected: that the opposite can also happen, and a nearby planet can alter its star\u2019s environment,\u201d notes Rafael Luque, an IAA-CSIC researcher participating in the study.<\/span><\/p>\n The results show that, although stars usually dominate the relationship with their planets through their gravity, radiation, and magnetic field, a planet orbiting very close to its star can also influence it. In the case of GJ 436 b, this interaction leaves observable signals that have allowed scientists to infer the existence and intensity of its magnetic field.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The observations, obtained with the <\/span>CARMENES<\/span><\/a> spectrograph\u2014an instrument co-led by the IAA-CSIC and with a significant participation of the IEEC, installed at the Calar Alto Observatory (CAHA)\u2014and HARPS, reveal that the magnetic field of GJ 436 b interacts with that of its star and injects energy into the chromosphere, one of the upper layers of its atmosphere, increasing its activity. This process generates a phenomenon comparable to Earth\u2019s auroras, but on a stellar scale.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis result highlights the potential of the CARMENES instrument to address some of the key questions in exoplanet research. The combination of instrumental precision and observational continuity allows us to access phenomena that remained out of our reach and opens up new ways to characterise worlds beyond the Solar System,\u201d points out Ignasi Ribas, an IEEC researcher at the ICE-CSIC.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMAGEN_CUATRO_r.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n An artist\u2019s impression of the changes in magnetic activity detected in the star GJ 436, in a phenomenon similar to that which causes the auroras. <\/span>IAA-CSIC\/LampScience<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”section-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The interaction between the planet and the star is not observed continuously. The phenomenon has only been detected in 2008, 2016, and 2024 \u2014three episodes separated by eight-year intervals. This periodicity coincides with the magnetic activity cycle of GJ 436, suggesting that the interaction becomes particularly intense\u2014or easier to detect\u2014when the star passes through certain phases of its magnetic cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n The comparison of these observations with theoretical models has enabled the team to estimate a property that is extremely difficult to measure on an exoplanet: the intensity of its magnetic field. \u201cDespite its smaller size, GJ 436 b would have a magnetic field between 2.33 and 27 times more intense than that of Jupiter,\u201d indicates Pedro J. Amado, co-author of the work and a researcher at the IAA-CSIC.<\/span><\/p>\n This result opens up a unique opportunity to study the magnetic fields of planets located outside the Solar System. Their analysis allows for a better understanding of how they retain their atmospheres, what their internal structure is like, and how they evolve over time.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUntil now, measuring the magnetic field of an exoplanet was extremely difficult. This property is key to knowing whether a planet can protect its atmosphere and, ultimately, whether it could become habitable,\u201d concludes Daniel Revilla.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to the\u00a0 Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), the study involves the Astrobiology Centre (CAB, CSIC-INTA) in Madrid, the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). The work also brings together researchers from the United States, Italy, Israel, Germany, and Cyprus.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”M\u00e9s informaci\u00f3” module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n More information<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-sub-text” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.1em” link_font=”|700|||on||||” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n This research is presented in a paper entitled \u201c<\/span>Planet-induced Modulation of Stellar Activity in GJ 436: A Look into a Warm Neptune\u2019s Magnetism<\/span><\/a>\u201d, by D. Revilla <\/span>et al.<\/span><\/i>, to appear in the journal Science on 25 June 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Enlla\u00e7os” module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Links<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-sub-text” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.1em” link_font=”|700|||on|||#1a1140|” link_text_color=”#1a1140″ link_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contactes” module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Contacts<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||20px|false|false” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.1em” link_font=”|700|||on|||#1a1140|” link_text_color=”#1a1140″ link_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#1a1140″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Castelldefels, Barcelona [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||20px|false|false” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1em” link_font=”|700|||on||||” link_text_color=”#1a1140″ header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#1a1140″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”ieec-about” module_class=”about-ieec” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” global_module=”17324″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|50px|20px|50px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sobre l’IEEC” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC \u2014 Institut d\u2019Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) promotes and coordinates space research and technology development in Catalonia for the benefit of society. IEEC fosters collaborations both locally and worldwide and is an efficient agent of knowledge, innovation and technology transfer. As a result of more than 25 years of high-quality research, done in collaboration with major international organisations, IEEC ranks among the best international research centres, focusing on areas such as: astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, and Earth Observation. IEEC\u2019s engineering division develops instrumentation for ground- and space-based projects, and has extensive experience in working with private or public organisations from the aerospace and other innovation sectors.<\/p>\n The IEEC is a non-profit public sector foundation that was established in February 1996. It has a Board of Trustees composed of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona (UAB), Universitat Polit\u00e8cnica de Catalunya \u00b7 BarcelonaTech (UPC), and the Spanish Research Council (CSIC). The IEEC is also a CERCA centre.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The work, published in Science, provides the first conclusive evidence of a planet\u2019s influence on the behaviour of its host star.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":46914,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[110,74,98],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-highlighted-news-big","category-news","category-science"],"yoast_head":"\nMagnetic fields beyond the Solar System<\/h2>\n
A key period<\/h2>\n
\n
IEEC Communication Office<\/h4>\n
E-mail: comunicacio@ieec.cat<\/a><\/p>\nLead Researcher at the IEEC<\/h4>\n
Daniele Vigan\u00f2<\/h4>\n
Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC)
E-mail: vigano@ieec.cat,<\/a> vigano@ice.csic.es<\/a><\/p>\nIgnasi Ribas<\/h4>\n
Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC)
E-mail: iribas@ieec.cat<\/a>, iribas@ice.cat<\/a><\/p>\nAbout the IEEC<\/h2>\n