Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Aug 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995apj...449..777d&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal v.449, p.777
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
4
Magnetohydrodynamics: Mhd, Plasmas
Scientific paper
A correct understanding of the process of magnetic reconnection is very important for the proper understanding of many astrophysical situations in which magnetic fields are involved. The main element in magnetic reconnection is the existence of a very thin layer over which the magnetic field reverses. In order to understand how such a layer forms spontaneously, we consider an initial one dimensional equilibrium with magnetic field going linearly through zero. Then we assume that plasma starts to cool at a rate proportional to pressure. This throws the situation out of equilibrium, and adiabatic compression commences in order to keep the situation in equilibrium. This leads quickly to a narrow layer across which the magnetic field reverses, and in which the resistivity destroys the magnetic field. We are able to analyze the resistive evolution analytically by a boundary layer analysis. It turns out that the layer forms in a cooling time multiplied by the logarithm of the magnetic Reynolds number. After the layer forms all the magnetic flux is destroyed in a few more cooling times.
Dorman Victoria L.
Kulsrud Russell M.
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