The generation of magnetic fields in astrophysical bodies. V - Behavior at large dynamo numbers
Astrophysical objects magnetic field generation, examining behavior at large dynamo numbers
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Astrophysical objects magnetic field generation, examining behavior at large dynamo numbers
Regenerative kinematic-dynamo action under incompressible isotropic velocity turbulence, noting turbulent Lorentz force role
Two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is explored by means of numerical simulation. Previous analytical theory, based on non-dissipative constants of the motion in a truncated Fourier representation, is verified by following the evolution of highly non-equilibrium initial conditions numerically. Dynamo action (conversion of a significant fraction of turbulent kinetic energy into long-wavelength magnetic field energy) is observed. It is conjectured that in the presence of dissipation and external forcing, a dual cascade will be observed for zero-helicity situations. Energy will cascade to higher wave numbers simultaneously with a cascade of mean square vector potential to lower wave numbers, leading to an omni-directional magnetic energy spectrum which varies as 1/k 3 at lower wave numbers, simultaneously with a buildup of magnetic excitation at the lowest wave number of the system. Equipartition of kinetic and magnetic energies is expected at the highest wave numbers in the system.
Constraints placed on the thermal evolution of Mercury by the dynamo model of the planet's magnetic field are investigated. It is assumed that Mercury is a differentiated planet possessing an iron-nickel core with a radius approximately three-fourths of the planetary radius, that the mantle is made of silicates with thermal and rheological properties similar to those of earth's upper mantle, and that differentiation was a global process which resulted in the removal of radioactive heat sources from the core and the upward segregation of heat sources in the mantle. These assumptions are found to lead to the conclusion that the existence of a molten core requires the retention of a minimum concentration of heat sources throughout the mantle, the value being comparable to the mantle-wide average concentration for earth. Thus, it is suggested that the differentiation of Mercury could not have resulted in the complete removal of heat sources from the mantle into a crust near the planet's surface.
Both the sun and the moon exert influences on the ionosphere, causing fluctuations in its electron content. The small lunar effects, though not negligible, are difficult to analyze because their periodicities differ little from the periodicity of the dominant solar effects. A finite duration impulse response filter was perfected, permitting the efficient splitting of our columnar electron content data into a solar, a lunar, and a residual component. The solar component plus the lunar component and the solar component alone were processed by a dynamic ionospheric simulation program that yields values of vertical plasma drifts when electron content data are used as input. The difference between the two plasma drifts so obtained was taken as being the plasma drift caused by the electric field generated by the lunar tides in the dynamo region. This technique appears to be the first to allow a direct estimation of the lunar-induced electric fields in the ionosphere.
Two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is explored by means of numerical simulation. Previous analytical theory, based on non-dissipative constants of the motion in a truncated Fourier representation, is verified by following the evolution of highly non-equilibrium initial conditions numerically. Dynamo action (conversion of a significant fraction of turbulent kinetic energy into long-wavelength magnetic field energy) is observed. It is conjectured that in the presence of dissipation and external forcing, a dual cascade will be observed for zero-helicity situations. Energy will cascade to higher wavenumbers simultaneously with a cascade of mean square vector potential to lower wavenumbers, leading to an omni-directional magnetic energy spectrum.
Results of testing the effectiveness of the theory of precessional dynamos in the generation of the magnetic fields of the planets are presented. It is shown that the magnetic state of Earth and of the planets Mars, Jupiter, and Venus can be satisfactorily described by the formula H(i) = H(3) V(i)/V(3) T(3)/T(i) omega(i)/omega(3) sin(alpha 1)/sin(alpha 2) where H, V, T, omega and alpha are the dipole fields, volumes of liquid cores, periods of rotation, rates of precession, and angles between precession vector and angular rotation, respectively, for the planets and earth. The v(i) corresponds to known models of the internal structure. It is shown that the magnetic state of Mercury satisfies this formula if the dynamic flattening of the planet f = .000057-.000083.
On physical grounds it is suggested that the polar field strength of the sun near a solar minimum is closely related to the solar activity of the following cycle. Four methods of estimating the polar magnetic field strength of the sun near solar minimum are employed to provide an estimate of the yearly mean sunspot number of cycle 21 at solar maximum of 140 + or - 20. This estimate may be considered a first-order attempt to predict the cycle activity using one parameter of physical importance based upon dynamo theory.
We consider the dynamo action produced by convection of a partially ionized, electrically conducting gas in a magnetic field. The model consists of two thin, Cartesian unipolar inductors connected in series by the magnetic field. For the case of a uniform magnetic field we compute the total current system generated by an arbitrary gas flow; for the case of a nonuniform field, we compute only the field-aligned coupling current. Application is made to the solar atmosphere.
What is already known about the structure of the Sun, the motion of its convective zone, and the solar cycle is reviewed. Topics discussed include solar variability, solar 'seismology', velocity patterns, magnetic fields, and the dynamo theory. Observations are needed to determine global properties (solar luminosity and radius), oscillations (p and g models), velocities (variation of rotation with time and depth), and magnetic fields.
Space experiments are suggested to better monitor the solar dynamo and solar luminosity variations. Polar and other magnetic fields, sunspots, coronal holes, filaments and other observable solar and solar wind phenomena can provide us with important links to test and discover physical mechanisms which relate solar activity to terrestrial weather, climate, and possibly population variations.
It is noted that the explanation of the origin of a magnetic field of Uranus is difficult because the structure of the planet's interior is not well known and the strong thermal flux, which is associated with the operation of hydromagnetic dynamos in Jupiter and Saturn, seems to be absent or very low. It is shown that the composition, physical state and electrical conductivity of the planet's core permits the generation of a magnetic field within the very low observational limits of its heat emission. Further, it is suggested that the higher density and higher pressures in the core of Neptune could explain the suspected absence of a measurable field on that planet even though it is a relatively strong source of heat.
The Sun is apparently rather typical of stars in its spectral class, with a convection zone of substantial depth and a modest rotation rate. These two factors are apparently enough to generate a substantial global circulation, seen so far principally as a differental rotation, as well as a nearly cyclic magnetohydrodynamic dynamo, seen principally as the 22 year "solar cycle". It would be expected therefore that many stars would have such dynamical characteristics. Recent observations of very large scale velocity fields of small velocity amplitude were reviewed.
Alpha, an important parameter in dynamo theory, is proportional to either the kinetic, current, magnetic, or velocity helicity of the fluctuating magnetic field and fluctuating velocity field. The particular helicity to which alpha is proportional depends on the assumptions used in deriving the first order smoothed equations that describe the alpha effect. In two cases, when alpha is proportional to either the magnetic helicity or velocity helicity, alpha is determined experimentally from two point measurements of the fluctuating fields in incompressible, homogeneous turbulence having arbitrary symmetry. For the other two possibilities, alpha is determined if the turbulence is isotropic.
X-ray observations of 14 early F dwarfs are reported and these stars are used, together with a complete sample from the literature, to examine how the characteristics of coronal X-ray emission vary from dwarfs of spectral type A through G. Evidence for a rotation-activity relation in stars redder than B - V = 0.45 is found. Stellar duplicity and age, except insofar as they influence the rotation rate, do not appear to be important in determining the coronal X-ray flux level in F dwarfs. It is suggested that the appearance of a relation between rotation and activity at B - V = 0.45 indicates the turn-on of a solar-like dynamo. The high X-ray surface fluxes and small variance thereof for dwarfs with B - V = 0.3-0.45 are also discussed.
One of two boundary conditions generally assumed in solutions of the dynamo equation is related to the disappearance of the azimuthal field at the boundary. Parker (1984) points out that for the realization of this condition the field must escape freely through the surface. Escape requires that the field be detached from the gas in which it is embedded. In the case of the sun, this can be accomplished only through reconnection in the tenuous gas above the visible surface. Parker concludes that the observed magnetic activity on the solar surface permits at most three percent of the emerging flux to escape. He arrives at the conclusion that, instead of B(phi) = 0, the partial derivative of B(phi) to r is equal to zero. The present investigation is concerned with the effect of changing the boundary condition according to Parker's conclusion. Implications for the solar convection zone are discussed.
Using the 'dynamo theory' method to predict solar activity, a value for the smoothed sunspot number of 109 + or - 20 is obtained for solar cycle 22. The predicted cycle is expected to peak near December, 1990 + or - 1 year. Concommitantly, F(10.7) radio flux is expected to reach a smoothed value of 158 + or - 18 flux units. Global mean exospheric temperature is expected to reach 1060 + or - 50 K and global total average total thermospheric density at 400 km is expected to reach 4.3 x 10 to the -15th gm/cu cm + or - 25 percent.
Observations about the current status of solar dynamo theory are given. The induction equation for magnetic field is solved using assumed velocities and parametric representations of the inductive or diffusive effects of velocities. The equations of motion governing these flow are not solved in parallel. Results from global compressible convection models are discussed. Differential rotation and convection are also investigated.