Vorticity and helicity of the solar supergranulation flow-field

Details Vorticity and helicity of the solar supergranulation flow-field Vorticity and helicity of the solar supergranulation flow-field

Oct 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004a%26a...425..725e&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.425, p.725-728 (2004)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

7

Turbulence, Sun: Granulation, Sun: Helioseismology

Scientific paper

Box simulations of rotating convection are presented with the aim to study the divergence-vorticity correlation C computed from the horizontal velocity components of the turbulent flow field. Our investigation is motivated by new observations of the solar velocity field in the upper convection zone using the techniques of so-called time-distance helioseismology (Duvall et al. \cite{Duvall93}). From such observations C can be derived directly and because of the close relation to the helicity it is an important quantity for solar dynamo theory. The divergence-vorticity correlation obtained from the simulations with Taylor number 103 is found to be in agreement with the observations of supergranulation. In particular, C vanishes at the equator and is negative (positive) in the northern (southern) hemisphere. For larger Taylor numbers the amplitude of C increases, which is consistent with the increase in strength of the Coriolis force acting on the turbulent flow. We also demonstrate that the correlation C and the kinetic helicity of the flow field have very similar spatial profiles. The observed values of C, therefore, yield a clear indication of the existence of negative (positive) kinetic helicity in the surface layers of the northern (southern) hemisphere.
Table 1 is only available in electronic form at http://www.edpsciences.org

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Vorticity and helicity of the solar supergranulation flow-field 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 Vorticity and helicity of the solar supergranulation flow-field, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vorticity and helicity of the solar supergranulation flow-field will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-895065