Topological structure of coronal-interplanetary magnetic field

The topological structure of the coronal-interplanetary magnetic field is determined by the arrangement of the neutral lines at the coronal base. It is characterized by nested separatrices, which are interfaces between closed and open field lines or between oppositely directed open field lines, in the coronal-interplanetary space. In the neighborhoods of these separatrices there are important electric currents. These currents form the basis for the sheet-current model.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.