Magnetic confinement of the solar tachocline: II. Coupling to a convection zone

Details Magnetic confinement of the solar tachocline: II. Coupling to a convection zone Magnetic confinement of the solar tachocline: II. Coupling to a convection zone

2011-07-19

arxiv.org/abs/1107.3665v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

16 pages, 18 figures, to appear in A&A

Scientific paper

10.1051/0004-6361/201116518

The reason for the observed thinness of the solar tachocline is still not well understood. One of the explanations that have been proposed is that a primordial magnetic field renders the rotation uniform in the radiation zone. We test here the validity of this magnetic scenario through 3D numerical MHD simulations that encompass both the radiation zone and the convection zone. The numerical simulations are performed with the anelastic spherical harmonics (ASH) code. The computational domain extends from $0.07\;R_\odot$ to $0.97\;R_\odot$. In the parameter regime we explored, a dipolar fossil field aligned with the rotation axis can not remain confined in the radiation zone. When the field lines are allowed to interact with turbulent unstationary convective motions at the base of the convection zone, 3D effects prevent the field confinement. In agreement with previous work, we find that a dipolar fossil field, even when it is initially buried deep inside the radiation zone, will spread into the convective zone. According to Ferraro's law of iso-rotation, it then imprints on the radiation zone the latitudinal differential rotation of the convection zone, which is not observed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Magnetic confinement of the solar tachocline: II. Coupling to a convection zone 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 Magnetic confinement of the solar tachocline: II. Coupling to a convection zone, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Magnetic confinement of the solar tachocline: II. Coupling to a convection zone will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-514363