Origin of rigidly rotating magnetic field patterns on the sun

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165472· OSTI ID:5930554

Sheeley, Jr, N R; Nash, A G; Wang, Y M

Using analytical calculations and numerical simulations, it is shown that a meridional component of magnetic-flux transport will offset the shearing effect of differential rotation and give rise to rigidly rotating patterns of large-scale magnetic field. The nonaxisymmetric field attains a striped polarity pattern which rotates rigidly like a barber pole while its individual small-scale flux elements rotate at the differential rate of the latitudes they are crossing. On the sun, the meridional transport is provided by supergranular diffusion possibly assisted by a small poleward flow. New sources of flux retard this process and exclude the rigid rotation from the sunspot belts until well into the declining phase of the sunspot cycle. This mechanism accounts for a number of heretofore unexplained phenomena including the tendency for coronal holes to rotate rigidly during the declining phase of the sunspot cycle. 39 references.

• Research Organization: E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5930554
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 319; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MATHEMATICS
MOTION
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
PLASMA
ROTATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR CORONA
SOLAR GRANULATION
STARS
STARSPOTS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR CORONAE
SUN
SUNSPOTS