The oscillations and the stability of rotating masses with magnetic fields

Using first variations of the integral properties of equilibrium second-order virial relations, the existence of the point of bifurcation of rotating gaseous masses with magnetic fields is substantiated. With the presence of a magnetic field component along the axis of rotation, it is shown that the point of bifurcation, where the Jacobi ellipsoids branch off from the Maclaurin spheroids, is altered, and in fact shifts to higher values of eccentricity compared to the one (namely,e=0.81267) obtained when there is no magnetic field.     

The equilibrium and stability of uniformly rotating gaseous systems in hydromagnetics

The theory for investigating the equilibrium and stability of a uniformly rotating gaseous system with a prevalent magnetic field is developed by using the virial tensor approach. Most of the discussion in this paper depends on the assumption that on the surface of the system, the magnetic field is zero. In Appendix A, however, we have considered the case in which the surface magnetic field is non-zero.We have obtained the nine modes of oscillations, grouped into the transverse shear, toroidal and pulsation modes. From this analysis have also found the conditions under which the sequence of a uniformly rotating axially symmetric configuration in the presence of a magnetic field should have a point of bifurcation, that is, a point where objects with genuine triplanar symmetry branch off. This condition is also generalized in the Appendix to include the effects of differential rotation and non-zero surface magnetic field.Applications to the cosmogonic fission problem, the study of the pulsation of rotating magnetic stars and some radio astrophysical problems are briefly discussed.     

Magnetic topologies due to two bipolar regions

The Sun's atmosphere contains many diverse phenomena that are dominated by the coronal magnetic field. To understand these phenomena it is helpful to determine first the structure of the magnetic field, i.e., the magnetic topology. We study here the topological structure of the coronal magnetic field arising from the interaction of two bipolar regions, for which we find that four distinct, topologically stable states are possible. A bifurcation diagram is produced, showing how the magnetic configuration can change from one topology to another as the relative orientation and sizes of the bipolar regions are varied. The changes are produced either by a global separator bifurcation, a local double-separator bifurcation, a new, global separatrix quasi-bifurcation, or a new, global spine quasi-bifurcation.     

The oscillations and the stability of rotating masses with magnetic fields

The existence of the point of bifurcation of rotating gaseous masses with toroidal magnetic fields is established from the first variations of the integral properties provided by the second-order virial relations. It is shown that the point of bifurcation, where the Jabcobi ellipsoids branch off from the Maclaurin spheroids, is unaffected by the presence of toroidal magnetic fields.     

Adiabatic pulsations and convective instability of rotating gaseous masses

Third order virial equations have been used to investigate the oscillations and the stability of the sequence of differentially rotating, compressible Maclaurin spheroids in the presence of toroidal magnetic fields. It is shown that the neutral point occurring at eccentricitye=0.731 13, which is the analogue of the first point of bifurcation along the Dedekind sequence, remains unaffected by the presence of differential rotation or a toroidal magnetic field. The point of onset of dynamical instability corresponding to the third harmonic deformations does, however, depend upon the magnetic field. It is shifted to values higher thane=0.966 96, the value that obtains in the case of uniform rotation; and a sufficiently large magnetic field can suppress this point. Complete frequency spectra (‘Kelvin’ modes belonging to the harmonicsl=3 and compressible modes belonging tol=1) are obtained in two cases of interest: when the equilibrium state is one of equipartition, and when toroidal magnetic and velocity fields (vanishing at the surface) are present in a configuration rotating with a constant angular velocity.     

耀斑环动力学的数值研究

数值模拟了太阳耀斑环动力学演化的二维磁重联过程。结果表明,在重联Ｘ 点比较高时,演化过程能再现双带耀斑中的耀斑环活动;而重联Ｘ 点比较低时,演化情况能解释致密耀斑的观测特征     

An analytic model of the Earth's magnetosphere

An analytic magnetic field model for the Earth's magnetosphere is constructed from a dipole field and a tail field. This model can be taken as a generalization of the Dungey's model, after one adds to it a horizontal component. The magnetic topology in the noon-midnight meridian plane of this model is fully determined and it is compared with the topology of other models. In this study it is found that, for a specific value of the parameterk, which is associated to any form of the model, the noon's side neutral points obey a bifurcation scheme.     

Coronal Magnetic Topologies in a Spherical Geometry II. Four Balanced Flux Sources

The Sun’s magnetic field is the primary factor determining the structure and evolution of the solar corona. Here, magnetic topology is used in combination with a Green’s function method to model the global coronal magnetic field with a spherical photosphere. We focus on the case of three negative flux sources and one positive source, completing our previous categorisation of the topological states and bifurcations that are present in quadrupolar configurations in a spherical geometry. Three fundamental varieties of topological state are found, with three types of bifurcation taking one to the other. A comparison to the equivalent results for a planar photosphere is then carried out, and the differences between the two cases are explained.     

A Framework for Understanding the Topology of Complex Coronal Structures

The Sun's coronal magnetic field is highly complex and provides the driving force for many dynamical processes. The topology of this complex field is made up mainly of discrete topological building blocks produced by small numbers of magnetic fragments. In this work we develop a method for predicting the possible topologies due to a potential field produced by three photospheric sources, and describe how this model accurately predicts the results of Brown and Priest (1999). We then sketch how this idea may be extended to more general non-symmetric configurations. It is found that, for the case of positive total flux, a local separator bifurcation may take place with three positive sources or with one positive and two negative sources, but not for two positive sources and one negative.     

A two-layer αω-dynamo model with dynamic feedback on the ω-effect

In an attempt to produce a simple representation of an interface dynamo, I examine a dynamo model composed of two one-dimensional (radially averaged) pseudo-spherical layers, one in the convection zone and possessing an α-effect, and the other in the tachocline and possessing an ω-effect. The two layers communicate by means of an analogue of Newton's law of cooling, and a dynamical back-reaction of the magnetic field on ω is provided. Extensive bifurcation diagrams are calculated for three separate values of η, the ratio of magnetic diffusivities of the two layers. I find recognizable similarities to, but also dramatic differences from, the comparable one-layer model examined by Roald &38; Thomas. In particular, the solar-like dynamo mode found previously is no longer stable in the two-layer version; in its place there is a sequence of periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic modes probably created in a homoclinic bifurcation. These differences are important enough to provide support for the view that the solar dynamo cannot be meaningfully modelled in one dimension.     

Equilibrium configuration of the magnetosphere of a star loaded with accreted magnetized mass

Equilibrium configuration of the magnetosphere of a star loaded by the gravitationally accreted plasma having its own magnetic field is investigated. Axisymmetry around the star’s magnetic axis is assumed for simplicity. It is seen that two distinct configurations appear for the cases of parallel and antiparallel magnetic field of the accreted plasma with respect to the star’s magnetic moment. If the external field is antiparallel to the star’s magnetic moment, the stellar magnetosphere is confined within a spherical region surrounded by the external field with a separatric surface between them. This is an extension of the case of the spherical accretion of non-magnetic plasma dealt with thus far in connection with the mass accretion by the degenerate stars in X-ray binaries. It is noticed that the mass slides down along the field lines to the point closest to the star and is stratified hydrostatically in equilibrium to form a disk in the equatorial plane. The mass loading compresses the sphere as a whole in this case. If, on the other hand, the external field is parallel to the star’s magnetic moment, there appears a ring of magnetic neutral point in the equatorial plane. Polar field is open and extends to infinity while the low-latitude field is closed and faces the external field of opposite polarity across the neutral point. The increase of the loaded mass in this case causes a shrink of the closed field region, and the open polar flux is increased. Therefore, the transition between equilibria with small and large amount of the loaded mass requires the reconnection of magnetic lines of force, and the reconnection of the flux through the magnetic neutral ring is proposed as the mechanism of the steady or the intermittent mass leakage like the ones postulated for some X-ray bursters. Visiting Scientist supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences.     

Dependence of the solar wind speed on the coronal magnetic field in cycle 23

The dependence of the position of the solar wind sonic point on the magnetic field in the solar corona during cycle 23 is studied. This dependence is shown to be rather strong in the rising phase and at the cycle maximum. As the coronal magnetic field grows, the distance to the sonic point decreases. Since the distance to the sonic point has been shown previously to anticorrelate with the solar wind speed, the result obtained suggests a strong positive correlation between the later and the coronal magnetic field. The situation changed dramatically two years after the calendar date of the cycle maximum. Beginning in 2004 the solar wind speed ceased to depend on the magnetic field up until the cycle minimum in December 2008. In 2009 a strong dependence of the wind speed on the coronal magnetic field was restored. It is hypothesized that this effect is associated with two different coronal heating mechanisms whose relative efficiency, in turn, depends on the contribution from magnetic fields of different scales.     

Dependence of the canopy height of solar magnetic flux tubes on its definition

By analyzing a canopy tube described by Athay, we point out the possibility that the different canopy heights given by different authors are caused by different definitions of canopy heights. For the same canopy tube, those heights where the magnetic field has horizontal components, where neighboring magnetic tubes meet each other and where the magnetic field becomes uniform or vertical range from near the solar photosphere to the solar corona.     

Study of interplanetary magnetic field with Ground State Alignment

We demonstrate a new way of studying interplanetary magnetic field—Ground State Alignment (GSA). Instead of sending thousands of space probes, GSA allows magnetic mapping with any ground telescope facilities equipped with spectropolarimeter. The polarization of spectral lines that are pumped by the anisotropic radiation from the Sun is influenced by the magnetic realignment, which happens for magnetic field (<1 G). As a result, the linear polarization becomes an excellent tracer of the embedded magnetic field. The method is illustrated by our synthetic observations of the Jupiter’s Io and comet Halley. Polarization at each point was constructed according to the local magnetic field detected by spacecrafts. Both spatial and temporal variations of turbulent magnetic field can be traced with this technique as well. The influence of magnetic field on the polarization of scattered light is discussed in detail. For remote regions like the IBEX ribbons discovered at the boundary of interstellar medium, GSA provides a unique diagnostics of magnetic field.     

Themis,BBSO, MDI and trace observations of a filament eruption

We describe a filament destabilization which occurred on 5 May 2001 in NOAA AR 9445, before a flare event. The analysis is based on Hα data acquired by THEMIS operating in IPM mode, Hα data and magnetograms obtained at the Big Bear Solar Observatory, MDI magnetograms and 171 Å images taken by TRACE. Observations at 171 Å show that ～ 2.5 hours before the flare peak, the western part of the EUV filament channel seems to split into two parts. The bifurcation of the filament in the Hα line is observed to take place ～ 1.5 hours before the flare peak, while one thread of the filament erupts ～10 min before the peak of the flare. Our analysis of longitudinal magnetograms shows the presence of a knot of positive flux inside a region of negative polarity, which coincides with the site of filament bifurcation. We interpret this event as occurring in two steps: the first step, characterized by the appearance of a new magnetic feature and the successive reconnection in the lower atmosphere between its field lines and the field lines of the old arcade sustaining the filament, leads to a new filament channel and to the observed filament bifurcation; the second step, characterized by the eruption of part of the filament lying on the old PIL, leads to a second reconnection, occurring higher in the corona.     

A Challenging Solar Eruptive Event of 18 November 2003 and the Causes of the 20 November Geomagnetic Superstorm. III. Catastrophe of the Eruptive Filament at a Magnetic Null Point and Formation of an Opposite-Handedness CME

Our analysis in Papers I and II (Grechnev et al., Solar Phys. 289, 289, 2014b and Solar Phys. 289, 1279, 2014c) of the 18 November 2003 solar event responsible for the 20 November geomagnetic superstorm has revealed a complex chain of eruptions. In particular, the eruptive filament encountered a topological discontinuity located near the solar disk center at a height of about 100 Mm, bifurcated, and transformed into a large cloud, which did not leave the Sun. Concurrently, an additional CME presumably erupted close to the bifurcation region. The conjectures about the responsibility of this compact CME for the superstorm and its disconnection from the Sun are confirmed in Paper IV (Grechnev et al., Solar Phys. submitted, 2014a), which concludes about its probable spheromak-like structure. The present article confirms the presence of a magnetic null point near the bifurcation region and addresses the origin of the magnetic helicity of the interplanetary magnetic clouds and their connection to the Sun. We find that the orientation of a magnetic dipole constituted by dimmed regions with the opposite magnetic polarities away from the parent active region corresponded to the direction of the axial field in the magnetic cloud, while the pre-eruptive filament mismatched it. To combine all of the listed findings, we propose an intrinsically three-dimensional scheme, in which a spheromak-like eruption originates via the interaction of the initially unconnected magnetic fluxes of the eruptive filament and pre-existing ones in the corona. Through a chain of magnetic reconnections their positive mutual helicity was transformed into the self-helicity of the spheromak-like magnetic cloud.     

Companion Event and Precursor of the X17 Flare on 28 October 2003

A major two-ribbon X17 flare occurred on 28 October 2003, starting at 11:01 UT in active region NOAA 10486. This flare was accompanied by the eruption of a filament and by one of the fastest halo coronal mass ejections registered during the October–November 2003 strong activity period. We focus on the analysis of magnetic field (SOHO/MDI), chromospheric (NainiTal observatory and TRACE), and coronal (TRACE) data obtained before and during the 28 October event. By combining our data analysis with a model of the coronal magnetic field, we concentrate on the study of two events starting before the main flare. One of these events, evident in TRACE images around one hour prior to the main flare, involves a localized magnetic reconnection process associated with the presence of a coronal magnetic null point. This event extends as long as the major flare and we conclude that it is independent from it. A second event, visible in Hα and TRACE images, simultaneous with the previous one, involves a large-scale quadrupolar reconnection process that contributes to decrease the magnetic field tension in the overlaying field configuration; this allows the filament to erupt in a way similar to that proposed by the breakout model, but with magnetic reconnection occurring at Quasi-Separatrix Layers (QSLs) rather than at a magnetic null point. Electronic supplementary material Electronic supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

State transitions triggered by inverse magnetic field: probably applied in high-mass X-ray binaries?

Previous works suggested that the state transitions in an X-ray binary can be triggered by accreting an inverse magnetic field from its companion star. A key point of this mechanism is the accretion and magnification of large-scale magnetic fields from the outer boundary of a thin disk. However, how such a process can be realized is still an open question. In this work, we check this issue in a realistic X-ray binary system. According to our calculations, a quite strong initial magnetic field, B~10~2- 10~3 G, is required in order to assure that the large-scale magnetic field can be effectively dragged inward and magnified with the accretion of gas. Thus, such a picture probably can be present in high-mass X-ray binaries possessing a strong stellar magnetic field, e.g., Cyg X-1.