scholarly journals Evolution of Large and Small Scale Magnetic Fields in the Sun

1991 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 218-222
Author(s):  
Peter A. Fox ◽  
Michael L. Theobald ◽  
Sabatino Sofia
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Time Dependence ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sunspot Cycle ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetic Resistivity ◽  
Statistical Evolution

AbstractThis paper will discuss issues relating to the detailed numerical simulation of solar magnetic fields, those on the small scale which are directly observable on the surface, and those on larger scales whose properties must be deduced indirectly from phenomena such as the sunspot cycle. Results of simulations using the ADISM technique will be presented to demonstrate the importance of the treatment of Alfvén waves, the boundary conditions, and the statistical evolution of small scale convection with magnetic fields. To study the large scale fields and their time dependence, the magnetic resistivity plays an important role; its use will be discussed in the paper.

scholarly journals Global magnetic fields: variation of solar minima

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S286) ◽  
pp. 113-122
Author(s):  
Andrey G. Tlatov ◽  
Vladimir N. Obridko
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sunspot Cycle ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
Scale Field ◽  
Large Scale Field

AbstractThe topology of the large-scale magnetic field of the Sun and its role in the development of magnetic activity were investigated using Hα charts of the Sun in the period 1887-2011. We have considered the indices characterizing the minimum activity epoch, according to the data of large-scale magnetic fields. Such indices include: dipole-octopole index, area and average latitude of the field with dominant polarity in each hemisphere and others. We studied the correlation between these indices and the amplitude of the following sunspot cycle, and the relation between the duration of the cycle of large-scale magnetic fields and the duration of the sunspot cycle.The comparative analysis of the solar corona during the minimum epochs in activity cycles 12 to 24 shows that the large-scale magnetic field has been slow and steadily changing during the past 130 years. The reasons for the variations in the solar coronal structure and its relation with long-term variations in the geomagnetic indices, solar wind and Gleissberg cycle are discussed.We also discuss the origin of the large-scale magnetic field. Perhaps the large-scale field leads to the generation of small-scale bipolar ephemeral regions, which in turn support the large-scale field. The existence of two dynamos: a dynamo of sunspots and a surface dynamo can explain phenomena such as long periods of sunspot minima, permanent dynamo in stars and the geomagnetic field.

scholarly journals Small Scale Solar Magnetic Fields: Theory

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. O. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Solar Physics ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Solar Granulation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Maximum Field Strength ◽  
Maximum Field

One of the most exciting developments in solar physics over the past eight years has been the success of ground based observers in resolving features with a scale smaller than the solar granulation. In particular, they have demonstrated the existence of intense magnetic fields, with strengths of up to about 1600G. Harvey (1976) has just given an excellent summary of these results.In solar physics, theory generally follows observations. Inter-granular magnetic fields had indeed been expected but their magnitude came as a surprise. Some problems have been discussed in previous reviews (Schmidt, 1968, 1974; Weiss, 1969; Parker, 1976d; Stenflo, 1976) and the new observations have stimulated a flurry of theoretical papers. This review will be limited to the principal problems raised by these filamentary magnetic fields. I shall discuss the interaction of magnetic fields with convection in the sun and attempt to answer such questions as: what is the nature of the equilibrium in a flux tube? how are the fields contained? what determines their stability? how are such strong fields formed and maintained? and what limits the maximum field strength?

Solar Dynamo

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Toroidal Field ◽  
Solar Dynamo ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The solar dynamo is the action of flows inside the Sun to maintain its magnetic field against Ohmic decay. On small scales the magnetic field is seen at the solar surface as a ubiquitous “salt-and-pepper” disorganized field that may be generated directly by the turbulent convection. On large scales, the magnetic field is remarkably organized, with an 11-year activity cycle. During each cycle the field emerging in each hemisphere has a specific East–West alignment (known as Hale’s law) that alternates from cycle to cycle, and a statistical tendency for a North-South alignment (Joy’s law). The polar fields reverse sign during the period of maximum activity of each cycle. The relevant flows for the large-scale dynamo are those of convection, the bulk rotation of the Sun, and motions driven by magnetic fields, as well as flows produced by the interaction of these. Particularly important are the Sun’s large-scale differential rotation (for example, the equator rotates faster than the poles), and small-scale helical motions resulting from the Coriolis force acting on convective motions or on the motions associated with buoyantly rising magnetic flux. These two types of motions result in a magnetic cycle. In one phase of the cycle, differential rotation winds up a poloidal magnetic field to produce a toroidal field. Subsequently, helical motions are thought to bend the toroidal field to create new poloidal magnetic flux that reverses and replaces the poloidal field that was present at the start of the cycle. It is now clear that both small- and large-scale dynamo action are in principle possible, and the challenge is to understand which combination of flows and driving mechanisms are responsible for the time-dependent magnetic fields seen on the Sun.

scholarly journals [no title]

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Photosphere ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Physical Problems ◽  
Observational Techniques

If the Sun is observed like a star, without spatial resolution, its magnetic field seldom exceeds 1 Gauss. But with high spatial resolution the field is seen to be largely concentrated into kG structures. Observations of the structure and dynamics of solar magnetic fields can therefore provide a guide to the nature of magnetic fields of other stars which cannot be resolved. Solar activity and the structure of the chromosphere and inner corona are intimately linked with magnetism and a complete understanding of these features often depends on magnetic field details. There are unsolved physical problems involving solar magnetic fields which have challenged many physicists. For example, confinement of small-scale fields in kG structures is a problem of current interest (Parker, 1976; Piddington, 1976; Spruit, 1976). Solar observers are no less challenged since the Sun presents us with a complicated magnetic field having a range of scales from global to less than the scale of our best observations as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3. This paper is a survey of observational techniques and results at the small-scale end of the spectrum of sizes in the solar photosphere. This topic has been frequently reviewed (e.g. Athay, 1976; Beckers, 1976; Deubner, 1975; Howard, 1972; Mullan, 1974; Severny, 1972; Stenflo, 1975) so that recent work is emphasized here.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulations of Large-scale Solar Magnetic Fields

1985 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR DeVore ◽  
NR Sheeley Jr ◽  
JP Boris ◽  
TR Young Jr ◽  
KL Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sunspot Cycle ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Field Patterns ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We have solved numerically a transport equation which describes the evolution of the large-scale magnetic field of the Sun. Data derived from solar magnetic observations are used to initialize the computations and to account for the emergence of new magnetic flux during the sunspot cycle. Our objective is to assess the ability of the model to reproduce the observed evolution of the field patterns. We discuss recent results from simulations of individual active regions over a few solar rotations and of the magnetic field of the Sun over sunspot cycle 21.

scholarly journals Large Scale Solar Magnetic Fields and Their Consequences

1971 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 547-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Newkirk
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Active Region ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Radio Bursts

The general properties of large scale solar magnetic fields are reviewed. In order of size these are: (1) Active region, generally bipolar fields with a lifetime of about two solar rotations. These are characterized by fields of several hundred G and display differential rotation similar to that found for the photosphere. (2) UM regions which appear to be the remnants of active region fields dispersed by the action of supergranulation convection and distorted by differential rotation. These are characterized by fields of a few tens of gauss and have lifetimes of several solar rotations. (3) The polar fields which are built up over the solar cycle by the preferential migration of a given polarity towards the poles. The poloidal fields are of a few gauss in magnitude and reverse sign in about 22 yr. (4) The large scale sector fields. These appear closely related to the interplanetary sector structure, cover tens of degrees in longitude, and stretch across the equator with the same polarity. This pattern endures for periods of up to a year or more, is not distorted by differential rotation, and has a rotation period of about 27 days. The presence of these long enduring sector fields may be related to the phenomenon of active solar longitudes. The consequences of large scale fields are examined with particular emphasis on the effects displayed by the corona. Calculated magnetic field patterns in the corona are compared with the density structure of the corona with the conclusion that: (1) Small scale structures in the corona, such as rays, arches, and loops, reflect the shape of the field and appear as magnetic tubes of force preferentially filled with more coronal plasma than the background. (2) Coronal density enhancements appear over plages where the field strength and presumably the mechanical energy transport into the corona are higher than normal. (3) Coronal streamers form above the ‘neutral line’ between extended UM regions of opposite polarity. The role played by coronal magnetic fields in transient events is also discussed. Some examples are: (1) The location of Proton Flares in open, diverging configurations of the field. (2) The expulsion of ‘magnetic bottles’ into the interplanetary medium by solar flares. (3) The relation of Type IV radio bursts to the ambient field configuration. (4) The guiding of Type II burst exciters by the ambient magnetic field. (5) The magnetic connection between widely separated active regions which display correlated radio bursts.

scholarly journals What can X-rays tell us about accretion, mass loss and magnetic fields in young stars?

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S243) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Thierry Montmerle
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Young Stars ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Sun ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Scale Surface

AbstractUntil recently, X-rays from low-mass young stars (105–106 yr) were thought to be a universal proxy for magnetic activity, enhanced by 3-4 orders of magnitude with respect to the Sun, but otherwise similar in nature to all low-mass, late-type convective stars (including the Sun itself). However, there is now evidence that other X-ray emission mechanisms are at work in young stars. The most frequently invoked mechanism is accretion shocks along magnetic field lines (“magnetic accretion”). In the case of the more massive A- and B-type stars, and their progenitors the Herbig AeBe stars, other, possibly more exotic mechanisms can operate: star-disk magnetic reconnection, magnetically channeled shocked winds, etc. In any case, magnetic fields, both on small scale (surface activity) and on large scale (dipolar magnetospheres), play a distinctive role in the emission of X-rays by young stars, probably throughout the IMF.

The macrodynamics of α-effect dynamos in rotating fluids

1975 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. V. R. Maekus ◽  
M. R. E. Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Past Study ◽  
Ohmic Loss ◽  
General Will ◽  
Rotating Systems ◽  
Stellar Magnetic Fields

Past study of the large-scale consequences of forced small-scale motions in electrically conducting fluids has led to the ‘α-effect’ dynamos. Various linear kinematic aspects of these dynamos have been explored, suggesting their value in the interpretation of observed planetary and stellar magnetic fields. However, large-scale magnetic fields with global boundary conditions can not be force free and in general will cause large-scale motions as they grow. I n this paper the finite amplitude behaviour of global magnetic fields and the large-scale flows induced by them in rotating systems is investigated. In general, viscous and ohmic dissipative mechanisms both play a role in determining the amplitude and structure of the flows and magnetic fields which evolve. In circumstances where ohmic loss is the principal dissipation, it is found that determination of a geo- strophic flow is an essential part of the solution of the basic stability problem. Nonlinear aspects of the theory include flow amplitudes which are independent of the rotation and a total magnetic energy which is directly proportional to the rotation. Constant a is the simplest example exhibiting the various dynamic balances of this stabilizing mechanism for planetary dynamos. A detailed analysis is made for this case to determine the initial equilibrium of fields and flows in a rotating sphere.

scholarly journals How to make the Sun look less like the Sun and more like a star?

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S328) ◽  
pp. 237-239
Author(s):  
A. A. Vidotto
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vector Fields ◽  
Radial Component ◽  
Field Vector ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
General Context ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Flux Transport ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field

AbstractSynoptic maps of the vector magnetic field have routinely been made available from stellar observations and recently have started to be obtained for the solar photospheric field. Although solar magnetic maps show a multitude of details, stellar maps are limited to imaging large-scale fields only. In spite of their lower resolution, magnetic field imaging of solar-type stars allow us to put the Sun in a much more general context. However, direct comparison between stellar and solar magnetic maps are hampered by their dramatic differences in resolution. Here, I present the results of a method to filter out the small-scale component of vector fields, in such a way that comparison between solar and stellar (large-scale) magnetic field vector maps can be directly made. This approach extends the technique widely used to decompose the radial component of the solar magnetic field to the azimuthal and meridional components as well, and is entirely consistent with the description adopted in several stellar studies. This method can also be used to confront synoptic maps synthesised in numerical simulations of dynamo and magnetic flux transport studies to those derived from stellar observations.

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