Failed magnetic flip: The intense space weather of active star AD Leo

23. 2. 2026

Failed magnetic flip: The intense space weather of active star AD Leo

Star system: AD Leonis | Distance from the Sun: 16.2 light years

Astronomers monitoring the active red dwarf AD Leo recently watched for a rare event: a total reversal of its magnetic poles, similar to the 11-year cycle seen on our Sun. However, the 'flip' failed to happen. Instead, the star's magnetic field simplified and strengthened into a more stable configuration. 

Despite this lack of a reversal, the study shows that AD Leo is a violent neighbor; it loses mass through stellar winds at a rate ten times higher than our Sun. Interestingly, the researchers found that any Earth-like planets in the habitable zone would likely be safe from this intense radiation, provided they have a magnetic field of their own to act as a shield.

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The attempted polarity reversal and evolving magnetic environment of AD Leo external link

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AD Leonis

dM3, Red dwarf

mass: 0.4 M☉

radius: 0.3 R☉

distance: 16.2 ly

stars in the system: 1

exoplanets: 1

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