Solar Multi-Scale Convection and Rotation Gradients Studied in Shallow Spherical Shells

Details Solar Multi-Scale Convection and Rotation Gradients Studied in Shallow Spherical Shells Solar Multi-Scale Convection and Rotation Gradients Studied in Shallow Spherical Shells

2002-09-03

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0209054v1

Astrophys.J. 581 (2002) 1356-1374

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

45 pages, 17 figures, ApJ in press. A preprint of paper with hi-res figures can be found at http://www-lcd.colorado.edu/~der

Scientific paper

10.1086/344295

The differential rotation of the sun, as deduced from helioseismology, exhibits a prominent radial shear layer near the top of the convection zone wherein negative radial gradients of angular velocity are evident in the low- and mid-latitude regions spanning the outer 5% of the solar radius. Supergranulation and related scales of turbulent convection are likely to play a significant role in the maintenance of such radial gradients, and may influence dynamics on a global scale in ways that are not yet understood. To investigate such dynamics, we have constructed a series of three-dimensional numerical simulations of turbulent compressible convection within spherical shells, dealing with shallow domains to make such modeling computationally tractable. These simulations are the first models of solar convection in a spherical geometry that can explicitly resolve both the largest dynamical scales of the system (of order the solar radius) as well as smaller-scale convective overturning motions comparable in size to solar supergranulation (20--40 Mm). We find that convection within these simulations spans a large range of horizontal scales, and that the radial angular velocity gradient in these models is typically negative, especially in low- and mid-latitude regions. Analyses of the angular momentum transport indicates that such gradients are maintained by Reynolds stresses associated with the convection, transporting angular momentum inward to balance the outward transport achieved by viscous diffusion and large-scale flows in the meridional plane. We suggest that similar mechanisms associated with smaller-scale convection in the sun may contribute to the maintenance of the observed radial shear layer located immediately below the solar photosphere.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Solar Multi-Scale Convection and Rotation Gradients Studied in Shallow Spherical Shells does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Solar Multi-Scale Convection and Rotation Gradients Studied in Shallow Spherical Shells, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Solar Multi-Scale Convection and Rotation Gradients Studied in Shallow Spherical Shells will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-465394