The Effects of Planets and Brown Dwarfs on Stellar Rotation and Mass-Loss

Abstract

We examine the effects of the engulfment of planets by giant stars on the evolution of late-type stars. We show that the rate at which dynamo-generated magnetic energy is being released exceeds 10% of the wind kinetic energy when the orbital angular momentum of the engulfed planet is more than ten times the angular momentum of the star as it leaves the main sequence. A significant enhancement in the mass-loss rate may be expected in this case, due to the formation of cool magnetic spots. We use the existing sample of extrasolar planets to estimate that at least 3.5% of the evolved solar-type stars will be significantly affected by the presence of planetary companions.