Real-time chromospheric and coronal dynamics during transient magnetic events

Characterize the real-time evolution of chromospheric and coronal plasma in exoplanet host stars during transient magnetic events, and determine what the associated mass motions, magnetic topology changes, and particle injection imply for planetary atmospheric loss.

Background

The paper emphasizes that key diagnostics such as Hα, Ca II H&K, and He I lines at high spectral resolution are needed to resolve mass motions and magnetic reconfigurations during flares. These dynamics are central to understanding particle injection and heating that can erode planetary atmospheres.

Existing photometry lacks the spectroscopic fidelity and cadence to follow impulsive phases; the proposed facility would enable multi-epoch, velocity-resolved monitoring to link plasma dynamics to atmospheric loss pathways.

References

Here are the major open questions that the next big telescope developed by ESO will address through conducting a decadal spectroscopic survey of young, active exoplanet hosts: How do chromospheric and coronal plasma dynamics evolve in real time during transient magnetic events, and what do these dynamics reveal about mass motions, magnetic topology, and particle injection relevant for planetary atmospheric loss?

— Transients as Determinants of Habitability  (2512.12456 - Majidi et al., 13 Dec 2025) in Section 3 (Key Questions)