Slow twists of solar magnetic flux tubes and the polar magnetic field of the Sun

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 919-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph V. Hollweg ◽  
Martin A. Lee
1996 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 201-216
Author(s):  
Sami K. Solanki

The magnetic field of the Sun is mainly concentrated into intense magnetic flux tubes having field strengths of the order of 1 kG. In this paper an overview is given of the thermal and magnetic properties of these flux tubes, which are known to exhibit a large range in size, from the smallest magnetic elements to sunspots. Differences and similarities between the largest and smallest features are stressed. Some thoughts are also presented on how the properties of magnetic flux tubes are expected to scale from the solar case to that of solar-like stars. For example, it is pointed out that on giants and supergiants turbulent pressure may dominate over gas pressure as the main confining agent of the magnetic field. Arguments are also presented in favour of a highly complex magnetic geometry on very active stars. Thus the very large starspots seen in Doppler images probably are conglomerates of smaller (but possibly still sizable) spots.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. L. Vaisberg ◽  
L. A. Avanov ◽  
T. E. Moore ◽  
V. N. Smirnov

Abstract. We analyze two LLBL crossings made by the Interball-Tail satellite under a southward or variable magnetosheath magnetic field: one crossing on the flank of the magnetosphere, and another one closer to the subsolar point. Three different types of ion velocity distributions within the LLBL are observed: (a) D-shaped distributions, (b) ion velocity distributions consisting of two counter-streaming components of magnetosheath-type, and (c) distributions with three components, one of which has nearly zero parallel velocity and two counter-streaming components. Only the (a) type fits to the single magnetic flux tube formed by reconnection between the magnetospheric and magnetosheath magnetic fields. We argue that two counter-streaming magnetosheath-like ion components observed by Interball within the LLBL cannot be explained by the reflection of the ions from the magnetic mirror deeper within the magnetosphere. Types (b) and (c) ion velocity distributions would form within spiral magnetic flux tubes consisting of a mixture of alternating segments originating from the magnetosheath and from magnetospheric plasma. The shapes of ion velocity distributions and their evolution with decreasing number density in the LLBL indicate that a significant part of the LLBL is located on magnetic field lines of long spiral flux tube islands at the magnetopause, as has been proposed and found to occur in magnetopause simulations. We consider these observations as evidence for multiple reconnection Χ-lines between magnetosheath and magnetospheric flux tubes. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (magnetopause, cusp and boundary layers; solar wind-magnetosphere interactions)


1993 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 143-146
Author(s):  
K. Petrovay ◽  
G. Szakály

AbstractThe presently widely accepted view that the solar dynamo operates near the base of the convective zone makes it difficult to relate the magnetic fields observed in the solar atmosphere to the fields in the dynamo layer. The large amount of observational data concerning photospheric magnetic fields could in principle be used to impose constraints on dynamo theory, but in order to infer these constraints the above mentioned “missing link” between the dynamo and surface fields should be found. This paper proposes such a link by modeling the passive vertical transport of thin magnetic flux tubes through the convective zone.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S345) ◽  
pp. 295-296
Author(s):  
Sergey A. Khaibrakhmanov ◽  
Alexander E. Dudorov ◽  
Andrey M. Sobolev

AbstractWe investigate dynamics of slender magnetic flux tubes (MFT) in the accretion disks of young stars. Simulations show that MFT rise from the disk and can accelerate to 20-30 km/s causing periodic outflows. Magnetic field of the disk counteracts the buoyancy, and the MFT oscillate near the disk’s surface with periods of 10-100 days. We demonstrate that rising and oscillating MFT can cause the IR-variability of the accretion disks of young stars.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 1273-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Grigorenko ◽  
T. M. Burinskaya ◽  
M. Shevelev ◽  
J.-A. Sauvaud ◽  
L. M. Zelenyi

Abstract. We present a comprehensive analysis of magnetic field and plasma data measured in the course of 170 crossings of the lobeward edge of Plasma Sheet Boundary Layer (PSBL) in the Earth's magnetotail by Cluster spacecraft. We found that large-scale fluctuations of the magnetic flux tubes have been registered during intervals of propagation of high velocity field-aligned ions. The observed kink-like oscillations propagate earthward along the main magnetic field with phase velocities of the order of local Alfvén velocity and have typical wavelengths ~5–20 RE, and frequencies of the order of 0.004–0.02 Hz. The oscillations of PSBL magnetic flux tubes are manifested also in a sudden increase of drift velocity of cold lobe ions streaming tailward. Since in the majority of PSBL crossings in our data set, the densities of currents corresponding to electron-ion relative drift have been low, the investigation of Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability in a bounded flow sandwiched between the plasma sheet and the lobe has been performed to analyze its relevance to generation of the observed ultra-low frequency oscillations with wavelengths much larger than the flow width. The calculations have shown that, when plasma conditions are favorable for the excitation of K-H instability at least at one of the flow boundaries, kink-like ultra-low frequency waves, resembling the experimentally observed ones, could become unstable and efficiently develop in the system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-61
Author(s):  
Ashish Mishra ◽  
Mukul Kumar

The article gives a concise overview of solar dynamical processes and their impacts on the space weather. This article is based on the observational and theoretical developments made during last few decades. The article begins with a brief discussion of the Sun and the solar interior, from the core to the solar corona. We discuss the solar magnetic field and provide some basic understanding of the solar dynamo model. The solar dynamical processes, the transient as well as the gradual, are the manifestations of the Sun’s magnetic field. Magnetic reconnection, as well as submergence and emergence of magnetic flux tubes, plays an important role in the solar activities. This article tries to cover a range of dynamical processes, including sunspots, solar prominences and bright points. We also discussed various models of the dynamical processes along with their properties and effect on other activities occurring on the Sun.


2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35
Author(s):  
Frederick A Gent ◽  
Ben Snow ◽  
Viktor Fedun ◽  
Robertus Erdélyi

ABSTRACT The magnetic network extending from the photosphere (solar radius ≃ R⊙) to the lower corona ($\mathrm{ R}_\odot +10\, {\rm Mm}$) plays an important role in the heating mechanisms of the solar atmosphere. Here we develop further the models of the authors with realistic open magnetic flux tubes, in order to model more complicated configurations. Closed magnetic loops and combinations of closed and open magnetic flux tubes are modelled. These are embedded within a stratified atmosphere, derived from observationally motivated semi-empirical and data-driven models subject to solar gravity and capable of spanning from the photosphere up into the chromosphere and lower corona. Constructing a magnetic field comprising self-similar magnetic flux tubes, an analytic solution for the kinetic pressure and plasma density is derived. Combining flux tubes of opposite polarity, it is possible to create a steady background magnetic field configuration, modelling a solar atmosphere exhibiting realistic stratification. The result can be applied to the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Michelson Doppler Imager (SOHO/MDI), Solar Dynamics Observatory Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (SDO/HMI) and other magnetograms from the solar surface, for which photospheric motions can be simulated to explore the mechanism of energy transport. We demonstrate this powerful and versatile method with an application to HMI data.


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