On the reconstruction of the nonlinear force-free coronal magnetic field from boundary data

Using a simple model in which the corona is represented by the half-space domain = {z > 0} and the photosphere by the boundary plane = {z = 0}, we discuss some important aspects of the general problem of the reconstruction of the magnetic field B in a small isolated coronal region from the values of the vector B¦ measured by a magnetograph over its whole basis. Assuming B to be force-free in : (i) we derive a series of relations which must be necessarily satisfied by the boundary field B¦ , and then by the magnetograph data if the force-free assumption is actually correct; (ii) we show how to extract directly from the measured B¦ some useful informations about the energy of B in and the topological structure of its field lines; (iii) we present a critical discussion of the two methods which have been proposed so far for computing effectively B in from B¦ .     

Cyclotron waves in the solar wind

Cyclotron waves in the solar wind near 1 AU with frequencies well below the electron cyclotron frequency and wavelengths much larger than the electron cyclotron radius but less than the proton cyclotron radius are considered. The cyclotron radii are defined from parallel thermal velocity of electron component and proton component with respect to the interplanetary magnetic field. No LH cyclotron waves are found to propagate for _p < 0, where _p 1 –T _p/T _p is the temperature anisotropy of the proton component with respect to the interplanetary magnetic field. The damping or growth of RH cyclotron waves is found to depend on the frequency range and the temperature anisotropy of the proton component. The RH cyclotron waves are damped in the frequency range _r | _p | _p for _p < 0, where _p is the proton cyclotron frequency. RH cyclotron instabilities occur in the frequency range | _p | _p > _r > | _p | _p /(1– _r ) for _p < 0. The marginal state is at _r =| _p | _p .Abstract presented at theInternational Symposium on Solar-Terrestrial, São Paulo, Brazil, 17–22 June, 1974     

Lower hybrid wave model for aurora

In the framework of non-linear fluid theory we use a lower hybrid (LH) wave of the form as a pump which interacts with the small fluctuations with the low-frequency vibrations _i or =0, where _i , is the hydrogen ion-cyclotron (HIC) gyrofrequency. The ponderomotive force generated by the beating of the high-frequency pump wave ₀ and the sideband LH waves (±₀) produces a non-linear coupling between the high- and low-frequency motions of electrons and ions. Under certain conditions the HIC waves and the zero-frequency waves both become parametrically unstable and start to grow. These excited waves then heat the ions by stochastic acceleration in the transverse direction, thus explaining the formation of ion comics along the auroral field lines. Electrons would be heated in the parallel direction directly by the pump field as well as by low-frequency waves. Thus a single mechanism can explain the existence of ion-cyclotron waves, zero-frequency waves, ion conics, and energetic electrons along the auroral field lines.     

Two-dimensional stochastic motions and the problem of differential rotation

This paper deals with the spatial dependence of the angular velocity in a rotating turbulent fluid sphere. The original turbulence unaffected by the global rotation is assumed to be two-dimensional where the stochastic force field producing the turbulence does not possess a radial component. By using results of earlier papers we proceed to the treatment of a rotational rate, , no longer small compared to _c (frequency of turbulent mode). It is shown that for _c the angular velocity increases with increasing radius but no latitudinal dependence exists. Contrary to this, for 2 _c an equatorial acceleration is possible and related to negativity of the two-dimensional eddy viscosity. Furthermore, the outer layers rotate faster than the inner ones. These findings coincide with Gilman's numerical results. Ward's observations, as well as the characteristic scales of supergranulation and giant cells, suggest the presence of negative two-dimensional eddy viscosity on the Sun.     

The Energy Equation in the Lower Solar Convection Zone

As a consequence of the Taylor–Proudman balance, a balance between the pressure, Coriolis and buoyancy forces in the radial and latitudinal momentum equations (that is expected to be amply satisfied in the lower solar convection zone), the superadiabatic gradient is determined by the rotation law and by an unspecified function of r, say, S(r), where r is the radial coordinate. If the rotation law and S(r) are known, then the solution of the energy equation, performed in this paper in the framework of the ML formalism, leads to a knowledge of the Reynolds stresses, convective fluxes, and meridional motions. The ML-formalism is an extension of the mixing length theory to rotating convection zones, and the calculations also involve the azimuthal momentum equation, from which an expression for the meridional motions in terms of the Reynolds stresses can be derived. The meridional motions are expanded as U _r(r,)=P ₂(cos)₂(r)/r ²+P ₄(cos)₄(r)/r ² +..., and a corresponding equation for U (r,). Here is the polar angle, is the density, and P ₂(cos), P ₄(cos) are Legendre polynomials. A good approximation to the meridional motion is obtained by setting ₄(r)=–H₂(r) with H–1.6, a constant. The value of ₂(r) is negative, i.e., the P ₂ flow rises at the equator and sinks at the poles. For the value of H obtained in the numerical calculations, the meridional motions have a narrow countercell at the poles, and the convective flux has a relative maximum at the poles, a minimum at mid latitudes and a larger maximum at the equator. Both results are in agreement with the observations.     

A model for heavy ion enhancements in association with 3He-rich events

A model of ³He enrichments, which was proposed recently, is extended to study enhancements of heavy ions in high-energy particles. With weak currents parallel to the ambient magnetic field, oblique ion-acoustic waves and H cyclotron waves can become unstable. The former can have much greater growth rates at frequencies _{3 He} than at _{4 He} near the marginal states of instabilities. The latter can be unstable at _{3 He} for a wide region of plasma parameters. Thus they could cause ³He enrichments through cyclotron resonances. At the same time, these waves can resonate with first or higher harmonics of cyclotron frequencies of many other ions. We investigate these resonant ions for several cases of plasma temperature. This model predicts enhancements of heavy elements and of neutron-rich isotopes at T 10 MK. It shows heavy ion enhancements also at T 4 MK. Clear differences between these two temperatures, however, can be seen in charge states of ions. At T 2 MK, light ions as well as heavy ions can have cyclotron resonances with these waves, which suggests that such low temperatures are excluded.     

Cold plus hot dark matter and structure formation of the universe

Cold plus hot (neutrino) dark matter models are studied and compared with the tilted cold dark matter models (which have a non-Zel'dovich initial density perturbation spectrum). For the hybrid dark matter models, a simpler treatment for the relativistic neutrinos is presented. The numerical results of this treatment are shown to be in good agreement with those given by other authors. Comparing the theoretical and the observational results of the quadrupole fluctuations of the cosmic background radiation and the large-scale velocity field of galaxies, the hybrid dark matter models require a fraction of neutrino density 0.3, a fraction of cold dark matter _c 0.7 and a number of massive neutrino speciesN = 1 for the case of Hubble's constantH ₀ = 50 km s^–1 Mpc^–1. The distribution of comoving number density of quasars at high redshifts is studied using the Press-Schechter theory. The calculations show that the hybrid dark matter model ( _c 0.7, 0.3) and the tilted CDM model withn = 0.7 0.8 both account for the observed quasar abundance at high redshift.     

Slow rotational perturbations of Friedmann universes

In this work the rotational perturbations of the Friedmann universes are investigated. In the general case where none of the terms including (r, t) are neglected, for perfect fluid, the field equations belonging to the perturbed metric give =(t). In this case, since the condition =0 can be accomplished by a coordinate transformation, the solutions of the field equations reduce to those of the classical Friedmann equations. For this reason, the approximate solutions obtained by other authors become formal solutions without physical interest.     

Rapidly rotating polytropes in the post-Newtonian approximation to general relativity

The study of uniformly polytropes with axial symmetry is extended to include all rotational terms of order ⁴, where is the angular velocity, consistently within the first post-Newtonian approximation to general relativity. The equilibrium structure is determined by treating the effects of rotation and post-Newtonian gravitation as independent perturbations on the classical polytropic structure. The perturbation effects are characterized by a rotation parameter = ²/2G _c and a relativity parameter, =p _c / _c C ² , wherep _c and _c are the central pressure and density respectively. The solution to the structural problem is obtained by following Chandrasekhar's series expansion technique and is complete to the post-Newtonian rotation terms of order ². The critical rotation parameterv _c , which characterizes the configuration with maximum uniform rotation, is accurately evaluated as a function of . Numerical values for all the structural parameters needed to determine the equilibrium configurations are presented for polytropes with indicesn=1, 1.5, 2, 2 5, 3, and 3.5.     

Pulsar radio emission

A new version of the theory of pulsar radio emission is developed for the case of a coaxial rotator. It is based on the electric field that we established [G. S. Sahakian, Astrofizika, 37, 97 (1994)] for the radiation channel (the channel of open magnetic field lines) and on convenient approximations for the electron energy obtained in [G. S. Sahakian and É. S. Chubarian, Astrofizika, 37, 255 (1994)]. It is shown that, owing to the emission of photons of curvature radiation by particles, e e+_c', and photon annihilation, _c e⁺e^– in the lower part of the radiation channel, a special region (the magnetic funnel) is formed in which vigorous cascade multiplication of particles occurs. The height of the magnetic funnel is h 6R^0.2, where R is the radius of the neutron star and is its angular rotation rate. As a result of supersaturation of the plasma density in the magnetic funnel, a discharge occurs after each time intervalt5·10^–7–0.8B ₁₂ ^–1.4 R ₆ ^–0.2 , i.e., the longitudinal electric field disappears (B is the magnetic induction in the star). During the active radiative processes in the magnetic funnel, two main fluxes of particles with high ultrarelativistic energies are formed: an upward flux of electrons and a positron flux falling onto the star's magnetic cap. These fluxes are accompanied by narrow strips of positron and electron fluxes, respectively, of considerably lower energy, which are fairly powerful, coherent radio sources. The pulsar's radio luminosity is calculated to be L7.4·10^223.8 ₃₀ ³ R ₆ ^–2 erg/sec, where =BR 3/2 is the star's magnetic moment. Comparing this result with observations, we conclude that the magnetic moment and hence the mass of the neutron star evidently must be considerably smaller, on the average, for fast pulsars than for slow ones. It is shown that the magnetic moment of the neutron star can be determined from the intervals between micropulses in the pulse profiles. The problem of the origin of the macrostructure of the radio pulse is discussed.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 141–185, January – March, 1995.     

Effects of metal abundances on the evolutionary period changes of classical Cepheids

Some peculiarities in the behaviour of a model self-gravitating system described by hydrodynamical equations and isothermal equation of state connected with the presence of thermodynamical fluctuations in real systems were investigated in numerical experiment. The values of density and velocity , , respectively, were computed by numerical code perturbed on each time-step and in each computational cell by random values , for modeling such fluctuations. Perturbed values _i = _i + _i ,v _i = _i + v _i were used to initiate the next step of computations. This procedure is equivalent to an introduction into original hydrodynamical equations of Langevin sources which are random functions. It is shown that these small fluctuations (= v =0,² =v ² = 10^–8) grow many times in marginally-stable state.     

Comparison of large-scale structures and velocities in the local universe

Comparison of the large-scale density and velocity fields in the local universe shows detailed agreement, strengthening the standard paradigm of the gravitational origin of these structures. Quantitative analysis can determine the cosmological density parameter, , and biasing factor,b; there is virtually no sensitivity in any local analyses to the cosmological constant,. Comparison of the dipole anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background with the acceleration due to theIRAS galaxies puts the linear growth factor in the range ^0.6 /b = 0.6 _–0.3 ^+0.7 (95% confidence). A direct comparison of the density and velocity fields of nearby galaxies gives = 1.3 _–0.6 ^+0.7 , and from nonlinear analysis the weaker limit > 0.45 forb > 0.5 (again 95% confidence). A tighter limit, > 0.3 (4–6), is obtained by a reconstruction of the probability distribution function of the initial fluctuations from which the structures observed today arose. The last two methods depend critically on the smooth velocity field determined from the observed velocities of nearby galaxies by thePOTENT method. A new analysis of these velocities, with more than three times the data used to obtain the above quoted results, is now underway and promises to tighten the uncertainties considerably, as well as reduce systematic bias.     

The nonlinear solar dynamo and differential rotation: A Taylor number puzzle?

We consider dynamically consistent mean-field dynamos in a spherical shell of incompressible fluid. The generation of magnetic field and differential rotation is parameterized by the - and -effects, respectively. Extending previous investigations, we include now the cases of moderate and rapid rotation in the sense that the inverse Rossby number can approach or exceed unity: This can lead to disk-shaped -contours, which are in better accordance with recent results of helioseismology than cylindrical -contours. On the other hand, in order to obtain -dynamo cycles the Taylor number has to be so large, that eventually cylindrical -contours become unavoidable (cf. Taylor-Proudman theorem). We discuss the different possibilities in a state diagram, where the inverse Rossby number and the relative correlation length are taken as the elementary parameters for mean-field dynamos.     

Evidence for a low-density inflationary universe?

The inflationary unvierse model predicts the density parameter ₀ to be 1.0 with the cosmological constant ₀ usually taken to be zero, whereas observational estimates give ₀0.2 and ₀10^-57 cm^–2. It was found, however, that the observed variation of angular diameter with redshift for extragalactic radio sources could be interpreted in terms of a low density universe with linear size evolution of the sources for either an inflationary model with 0 or an open model with =0.     

Regulation of solar wind heat flux by ordinary mode instability

The ordinary mode can frequently become unstable in the solar wind at 1 AU provided the ratio of halo to core electrons density does not exceed the value 0.05. The growth rates corresponding to the average conditions are typically 10 _P ( _P being the proton cyclotron frequency). Because of low threshold for onset of instability for _C 1 (where _C is the transverse beta for the core electrons), the mode is expected to play an important role in regulating the solar wind heat flux at 1 AU.     

Cylindrical oscillations of force-free electromagnetic fields

This paper is devoted to Force-Free Electromagnetic Oscillations in a constant magnetic field. A correction is made in the derivation of the basic equation. The paper confirms the predicted spectrum of frequencies, namely _n = _o (n + 1)^1/2;n = 0, 1, 2, .... In addition it is suggested that hybrid frequency _n = ( _n ² + _H ² )^1/2 should be found in observational data.     

Estimates for the effective electrical conductivity of the core in the interior of Jupiter and Saturn

In the deep interior of the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn, ordinary hydrogen and helium are transformed into a conducting metallic liquid at extremely high pressure. It is likely that the giant planets' observed magnetic field is constantly generated in the metallic fluid core by magnetohydrodynamic processes, converting mechanic energy in the form of convection into magnetic energy. The maximum strength of their magnetic fields is likely to be limited by magnetic field instabilities which convert the magnetic energy back into convection. The parameter which governs the occurrence of magnetic instabilities is the Elsasser number, = B ²/2, where B is the field strength, is the electrical conductivity, is the rotation rate and is the density. Since magnetic instability will be very active when exceeds a critical value _c 10 (the precise value depending on the magnetic field distribution), this imposes an upper bound on the effective electrical conductivity of the metallic fluid which comprises the bulk of Jupiter's interior and much of Saturn's.Stability calculations including both toroidal (model) and poloidal (observed) components of the magnetic field in a rapidly rotating spherical shell, have been performed. The most stable configuration of the field is when the poloidal component of field is strong and the toroidal field is weak; in this case we obtain an upper bound for electrical conductivity of 3 × 10⁶ S/m; while the most unstable configuration of the field is when the toroidal and poloidal fields are comparable, giving rise to _m 3 × 10⁵ S/m. The implications of the results for general dynamo theory are also discussed.     

On the relation between solar-flare gamma-ray emission and proton escape into interplanetary space

It is shown that escaping of solar flare energetic protons into interplanetary space as well as their relation to the flare gamma-ray emission depend on the parameter = 8p/B ₀ ² , where p is the pressure of hot plasma and energetic particles and B ₀ is the magnetic field in a flaring loop. If 1, the bulk of the energetic protons escape to the loss cone because of diffusion due to small-scale Alfvén-wave turbulence, and precipitate into the footpoints of the flaring loop. The flare then produces intense gamma-ray line emission and a weak flux of high energy protons in interplanetary space. If >_*0.3-1.0, then fast eruption of hot plasma and energetic particles out of the flaring loop occurs, this being due to the flute instability or magnetic-field-plasma nonequilibrium. The flare then produces a comparatively weak gamma-radiation and rather intense proton fluxes in interplanetary space. We predict a modulation of the solar flare gamma-ray line emission with a period 1 s during the impulsive phase that is due to the MHD-oscillations of the energy release volume. The time lag of the gamma-ray peaks with respect to the hard X-ray peaks during a simultaneous acceleration of electrons and protons can be understood in terms of strong diffusion.     

Expanding and superdense astrophysical systems in general relativistic hierarchical cosmology

A semi-continuous hierarchy, (i.e., one in which there are galaxies outside clusters, clusters outside superclusters etc.), is examined using an expression of the field equations of general relativity in a form due to Podurets, Misner and Sharp. It is shown (a) that for a sufficiently populous hierarchy, the thinning factor( _i+1/ _i [r _i /r _i+1] is approximately equal to the exponentN in a continuous density law (=aR ^–N) provided (r _i /r _i+1)^3-1; (b) that a hierarchical Universe will not look decidedly asymmetric to an observer like a human being because such salient observers live close to the densest elements of the hierarchy (viz stars), the probability of the Universe looking spherically symmetric (dipole anisotropy0.1 to such an observer being of order unity; (c) the existence of a semi-continuous or continuous hierarchy (Peebles) requires that 2 if galaxies, not presently bound to clusters were once members of such systems; (d) there are now in existence no less than ten arguments for believing 2, though recent number counts by Sandageet al. seem to be in contradiction to such a value; (e) Hubble's law, withH independent of distance, can be proved approximately in a relativistic hierarchy provided (i)N=2, (ii)2GM(R)/c ² R1; (iii)Rc (iv)M0 in a system of massM, sizeR (f) Hubble's law holds also in a hierarchy with density jumps; (g)H100 km s^–1 Mpc^–1; (h) objects forming the stellar level of the hierarchy (in a cosmology of the Wilson type) must once have had 2GM/c ² R1; (i) there is a finite pressurep=2Ga in all astrophysical systems (a=R ^N ,N2); (j) for the Galaxy, theory predictsp _G7×10^–12 dyn cm^–2, observation givesp _G5×10^–12 dyn cm^–2; (k) if the mass-defect (or excess binding energy) hypothesis is taken as a postulate, all non-collapsed astrophysical systems must be non-static, and any non-static, p0 systems must in any case be losing mass; (1) the predicted mass-loss rate from the Sun is 10¹² g s^–1, compared to 10¹¹ g s^–1 in the observed solar wind; (m) the mass-loss rates known by observation imply timescales of 5×10⁹ years for the Sun and 10¹⁰ years for other astrophysical systems; (n) degenerate superdense objects composed of fermions must haveN-2 if they were ever at their Schwarzschild radii and comprised a finite numberN _B of baryons; (o)N _B10⁵⁷N for degenerate fermion and boson systems; (p)285-4; (q) the metric coefficients for superdense bodies give equations of motion that imply equal maximum luminosities for all evolving superdense bodies (L _max10⁵⁹ erg s^–1); (r) larger bodies have longer time-scales of energy radiation atL _max (10^–5 s for stars,1 h for QSO's) (s) expansion velocities are c soon after the initial loss of equilibrium in a superdense object; (t) if the density parametera(t) in aR ^–N isa=a (non-atomic constants of physicsc, G, A), andA, thenN=2; (u) N2 is necessary to giveMM at the stellar level of the hierarchy;(v) systems larger than, and including, galaxies must have formed by clumping of smaller systems and not (as advocated by Wertz and others) in a multiple big bang.