Some topics in the magnetohydrodynamics of accreting magnetic compact objects

Conference · Mon Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · AIP Conf. Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7022691

Aly, J J

Magnetic compact objects (neutron stars or white dwarfs) are currently thought to be present in many accreting systems that are releasing large amounts of energy. The magnetic field of the compact star may interact strongly with the accretion flow and play an essential role in the physics of these systems. Some magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) problems that are likely to be relevant in building up self-consistent models of the interaction between the accreting plasma and the star's magnetosphere are addressed in this series of lectures. The basic principles of MHD are first introduced and some important MHD mechanisms (Rayleigh--Taylor and Kelvin--Helmholtz instabilities; reconnection) are discussed, with particular reference to their role in allowing the infalling matter to penetrate the magnetosphere and mix with the field. The structurre of a force-free magnetosphere and the possibility of quasi-static momentum and energy transfer between regions linked by field-aligned currents are then studied in some detail. Finally, the structure of axisymmetric accretion flows onto magnetic compact objects is considered.

• Research Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Physics, 1110 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801
• OSTI ID: 7022691
• Report Number(s): CONF-8408121-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIP Conf. Proc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 144:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
ATMOSPHERES
DOCUMENT TYPES
DWARF STARS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
NEUTRON STARS
REVIEWS
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES
WHITE DWARF STARS