scholarly journals 29. The internal constitution of sunspots

1958 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 263-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Schlüter ◽  
S. Temesváry

The constitution of stationary single sunspots of circular shape is considered. Account is taken of the mechanical effects of the magnetic field, including those which arise from the curvature of the lines of force. To make the system of magneto-hydrostatic equations manageable, it is assumed that the relative distribution of the vertical component of the magnetic field is the same across the flux-tube of the spot in all depths. Preliminary results indicate that suppression of convective energy transport by the magnetic field in those depths in which ionization of hydrogen takes place, will give the essential observable properties of sunspots, relatively independent on the asumptions about the physical processes in greater depths. There the physical properties of matter can deviate but very little from those of the indisturbed hydrogen convection zone.

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 185-192
Author(s):  
Alexei A. Pevtsov ◽  
Richard C. Canfield

AbstractThe solar corona – one of the most spectacular celestial shows and yet one of the most challenging puzzles – exhibits a spectrum of structures related to both the quiet Sun and active regions. In spite of dramatic differences in appearance and physical processes, all these structures share a common origin: they are all related to the solar magnetic field. The origin of the field is beneath the turbulent convection zone, where the magnetic field is not a master but a slave, and one can wonder how much the coronal magnetic field “remembers” its dynamo origin. Surprisingly, it does. We will describe several observational phenomena that indicate a close relationship between coronal and sub-photospheric processes.


1974 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 235-237
Author(s):  
F. Meyer ◽  
H. U. Schmidt ◽  
N. O. Weiss ◽  
P. R. Wilson

In this paper we investigate the physical processes that lead to the growth and decay of magnetic flux in and near sunspots.An initial phase of rapid growth is characterized by the emergence of magnetic flux from the deep convection zone. As the flux rope rises through the surface the magnetic field is swept to the junctions of the supergranular network where sunspots are formed. These flux concentrations follow the footpoints of the emergent flux rope as they rapidly move apart.


1995 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Galloway ◽  
C. A. Jones

AbstractThis paper discusses problems which have as their uniting theme the need to understand the coupling between a stellar convection zone and a magnetically dominated corona above it. Interest is concentrated on how the convection drives the atmosphere above, loading it with the currents that give rise to flares and other forms of coronal activity. The role of boundary conditions appears to be crucial, suggesting that a global understanding of the magnetic field system is necessary to explain what is observed in the corona. Calculations are presented which suggest that currents flowing up a flux rope return not in the immediate vicinity of the rope but rather in an alternative flux concentration located some distance away.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 101-103
Author(s):  
A. S. Brun ◽  
A. Strugarek

AbstractWe briefly present recent progress using the ASH code to model in 3-D the solar convection, dynamo and its coupling to the deep radiative interior. We show how the presence of a self-consistent tachocline influences greatly the organization of the magnetic field and modifies the thermal structure of the convection zone leading to realistic profiles of the mean flows as deduced by helioseismology.


2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. A191 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Benko ◽  
S. J. González Manrique ◽  
H. Balthasar ◽  
P. Gömöry ◽  
C. Kuckein ◽  
...  

Context. It has been empirically determined that the umbra-penumbra boundaries of stable sunspots are characterized by a constant value of the vertical magnetic field. Aims. We analyzed the evolution of the photospheric magnetic field properties of a decaying sunspot belonging to NOAA 11277 between August 28–September 3, 2011. The observations were acquired with the spectropolarimeter on-board of the Hinode satellite. We aim to prove the validity of the constant vertical magnetic-field boundary between the umbra and penumbra in decaying sunspots. Methods. A spectral-line inversion technique was used to infer the magnetic field vector from the full-Stokes profiles. In total, eight maps were inverted and the variation of the magnetic properties in time were quantified using linear or quadratic fits. Results. We find a linear decay of the umbral vertical magnetic field, magnetic flux, and area. The penumbra showed a linear increase of the vertical magnetic field and a sharp decay of the magnetic flux. In addition, the penumbral area quadratically decayed. The vertical component of the magnetic field is weaker on the umbra-penumbra boundary of the studied decaying sunspot compared to stable sunspots. Its value seem to be steadily decreasing during the decay phase. Moreover, at any time of the sunspot decay shown, the inner penumbra boundary does not match with a constant value of the vertical magnetic field, contrary to what is seen in stable sunspots. Conclusions. During the decaying phase of the studied sunspot, the umbra does not have a sufficiently strong vertical component of the magnetic field and is thus unstable and prone to be disintegrated by convection or magnetic diffusion. No constant value of the vertical magnetic field is found for the inner penumbral boundary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Galina Kotova ◽  
Mikhail Verigin ◽  
Tamash Gomboshi ◽  
Konstantin Kabin

Study of physical processes in plasma near planets often requires knowledge of the position and shape of the planetary bow shock. Empirical models are usually used since theoretical MHD and kinetic models consume too much computer time and cannot be used to track fast processes. M.I. Verigin proposed a semi-empirical approach based on the use of exact theoretical expressions with a small number of parameters, which have a clear physical meaning. These parameters are estimated by fitting experimental data or detailed MHD calculations. A model of the bow shock near an arbitrary-shaped obstacle has previously been developed for a gas-dynamic flow. This model can be applied to any sonic Mach numbers and large values of the Alfven Mach number. In addition, the asymptotic Mach cone — the angle of inclination of the shock wave at an infinite distance from the planet — has been calculated analytically in the MHD approximation. In this paper, we propose a model of the bow shock for any direction of the magnetic field with respect to the upcoming flow and for any Mach numbers. Parameters of the model are the distance of the nose point from the obstacle, radius of curvature and bluntness of the bow shock at the nose point, a parameter related to the transition to the asymptotic downstream slope of the shock, and a skewing angle appearing when the interplanetary magnetic field is directed at an angle to the solar wind velocity.


1983 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
W. Deinzer ◽  
G. Hensler ◽  
D. Schmitt ◽  
M. Schüssler ◽  
E. Weisshaar

We give a short summary of some results of a numerical study of magnetic field concentrations in the solar photosphere and upper convection zone. We have developed a 2D time dependent code for the full MHD equations (momentum equation, equation of continuity, induction equation for infinite conductivity and energy equation) in slab geometry for a compressible medium. A Finite-Element-technique is used. Convective energy transport is described by the mixing-length formalism while the diffusion approximation is employed for radiation. We parametrize the inhibition of convective heat flow by the magnetic field and calculate the material functions (opacity, adiabatic temperature gradient, specific heat) self-consistently. Here we present a nearly static flux tube model with a magnetic flux of ∼ 1018 mx, a depth of 1000 km and a photospheric diameter of ∼ 300 km as the result of a dynamical calculation. The influx of heat within the flux tube at the bottom of the layer is reduced to 0.2 of the normal value. The mass distribution is a linear function of the flux function A: dm(A)/dA = const. Fig. 1 shows the model: Isodensities (a), fieldlines (b), isotherms (c) and lines of constant continuum optical depth (d) are given. The “Wilson depression” (height difference between τ = 1 within and outside the tube) is ∼ 150 km and the maximum horizontal temperature deficit is ∼ 3000 K. Field strengths as function of x for three different depths and as function of depth along the symmetry axis are shown in (e) and (f), respectively. Note the sharp edge of the tube.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 535-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Voitenko ◽  
M. Goossens

Abstract. There is abundant observational evidence that the energization of plasma particles in space is correlated with an enhanced activity of large-scale MHD waves. Since these waves cannot interact with particles, we need to find ways for these MHD waves to transport energy in the dissipation range formed by small-scale or high-frequency waves, which are able to interact with particles. In this paper we consider the dissipation range formed by the kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) which are very short- wavelengths across the magnetic field irrespectively of their frequency. We study a nonlocal nonlinear mechanism for the excitation of KAWs by MHD waves via resonant decay AW(FW)→KAW1+KAW2, where the MHD wave can be either an Alfvén wave (AW), or a fast magneto-acoustic wave (FW). The resonant decay thus provides a non-local energy transport from large scales directly in the dissipation range. The decay is efficient at low amplitudes of the magnetic field in the MHD waves, B/B0~10-2. In turn, KAWs are very efficient in the energy exchange with plasma particles, providing plasma heating and acceleration in a variety of space plasmas. An anisotropic energy deposition in the field-aligned degree of freedom for the electrons, and in the cross-field degrees of freedom for the ions, is typical for KAWs. A few relevant examples are discussed concerning nonlinear excitation of KAWs by the MHD wave flux and consequent plasma energization in the solar corona and terrestrial magnetosphere.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 20170752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan F. Putman ◽  
Michelle M. Scanlan ◽  
Amanda M. Pollock ◽  
Joseph P. O'Neil ◽  
Ryan B. Couture ◽  
...  

Organisms use a variety of environmental cues to orient their movements in three-dimensional space. Here, we show that the upward movement of young Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) emerging from gravel nests is influenced by the geomagnetic field. Fish in the ambient geomagnetic field travelled farther upwards through substrate than did fish tested in a field with the vertical component inverted. This suggests that the magnetic field is one of several factors that influences emergence from the gravel, possibly by serving as an orientation cue that helps fish determine which way is up. Moreover, our work indicates that the Oncorhynchus species are sensitive to the magnetic field throughout their life cycles, and that it guides their movements across a range of spatial scales and habitats.


1991 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 187-189
Author(s):  
V.N. Krivodubskij ◽  
A.E. Dudorov ◽  
A.A. Ruzmaikin ◽  
T.V. Ruzmaikina

Analysis of the fine structure of the solar oscillations has enabled us to determine the internal rotation of the Sun and to estimate the magnitude of the large-scale magnetic field inside the Sun. According to the data of Duvall et al. (1984), the core of the Sun rotates about twice as fast as the solar surface. Recently Dziembowski et al. (1989) have showed that there is a sharp radial gradient in the Sun’s rotation at the base of the convection zone, near the boundary with the radiative interior. It seems to us that the sharp radial gradients of the angular velocity near the core of the Sun and at the base of the convection zone, acting on the relict poloidal magnetic field Br, must excite an intense toroidal field Bф, that can compensate for the loss of the magnetic field due to magnetic buoyancy.


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