125 research outputs found
Magnetic reconnection solutions in the presence of multiple nulls
It is known that exact analytic solutions can be constructed for incompressible magnetic reconnection in three space dimensions. In the case of an isolated X-point null, there are two types of reconnection solutions, namely, “spine” and “fan” models, which depend on the form of the X-point disturbance. However, such models cannot describe multiple null “separator” reconnection, for which there is independent observational evidence. Here we show that the spine formalism naturally extends to the case of multiple null fields. Solutions showing the characteristics of fan, spine, and separator are described, and a discussion is given of their energy dissipation properties. We demonstrate a family of multiple null, fast reconnection solutions and point out that the classical Sweet-Parker dissipation rate is the slowest that can be achieved with the present models
Hall current effects in dynamic magnetic reconnection solutions
The impact of Hall current contributions on flow driven planar magnetic merging solutions is discussed. The Hall current is important if the dimensionless Hall parameter (or normalized ion skin depth) satisfies cH>η where η is the inverse Lundquist number for the plasma. A dynamic analysis of the problem shows, however, that the Hall current initially manifests itself, not by modifying the planar reconnection field, but by inducing a non-reconnecting perpendicular "separator" component in the magnetic field. Only if the stronger condition c2/H > η is satisfied can Hall currents be expected to affect the planar merging. These analytic predictions are then tested by performing a series of numerical experiments in periodic geometry, using the full system of planar magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The numerical results confirm that the nature of the merging changes dramatically when the Hall coupling satisfies c2/H > η. In line with the analytic treatment of sheared reconnection, the coupling provided by the Hall term leads to the emergence of multiple current layers that can enhance the global Ohmic dissipation at the expense of the reconnection rate. However, the details of the dissipation depend critically on the symmetries of the simulation, and when the merging is "head-on" (i.e., comprises fourfold symmetry) the reconnection rate can be enhanced
Comparing Various Multi-Component Global Heliosphere Models
Modeling of the global heliosphere seeks to investigate the interaction of the solar wind with the partially ionized local interstellar medium. Models that treat neutr al hydrogen self-consistently and in great detail, together with the plasma, but that neglect magnetic fields, constitute a sub-category within global heliospheric models. There are several different modeling strategies used for this sub-category in the literature. Differences and commonalities in the modeling results from different strategies are pointed out
Comparing various multi-component global heliosphere models
Modeling of the global heliosphere seeks to investigate the interaction of
the solar wind with the partially ionized local interstellar medium. Models
that treat neutral hydrogen self-consistently and in great detail, together
with the plasma, but that neglect magnetic fields, constitute a sub-category
within global heliospheric models. There are several different modeling
strategies used for this sub-category in the literature. Differences and
commonalities in the modeling results from different strategies are pointed
out. Plasma-only models and fully self-consistent models from four research
groups, for which the neutral species is modeled with either one, three, or
four fluids, or else kinetically, are run with the same boundary parameters and
equations. They are compared to each other with respect to the locations of key
heliospheric boundary locations and with respect to the neutral hydrogen
content throughout the heliosphere. In many respects, the models' predictions
are similar. In particular, the locations of the termination shock agree to
within 7% in the nose direction and to within 14% in the downwind direction.
The nose locations of the heliopause agree to within 5%. The filtration of
neutral hydrogen from the interstellar medium into the inner heliosphere,
however, is model dependent, as are other neutral results including the
hydrogen wall. These differences are closely linked to the strength of the
interstellar bow shock. The comparison also underlines that it is critical to
include neutral hydrogen into global heliospheric models.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, submitted to a special section at A&A of an ISSI
team "Determination of the physical Hydrogen parameters of the LIC from
within the Heliosphere
Exclusion of Tiny Interstellar Dust Grains from the Heliosphere
The distribution of interstellar dust grains (ISDG) observed in the Solar
System depends on the nature of the interstellar medium-solar wind interaction.
The charge of the grains couples them to the interstellar magnetic field (ISMF)
resulting in some fraction of grains being excluded from the heliosphere while
grains on the larger end of the size distribution, with gyroradii comparable to
the size of the heliosphere, penetrate the termination shock. This results in a
skewing the size distribution detected in the Solar System.
We present new calculations of grain trajectories and the resultant grain
density distribution for small ISDGs propagating through the heliosphere. We
make use of detailed heliosphere model results, using three-dimensional (3-D)
magnetohydrodynamic/kinetic models designed to match data on the shape of the
termination shock and the relative deflection of interstellar neutral H and He
flowing into the heliosphere. We find that the necessary inclination of the
ISMF relative to the inflow direction results in an asymmetry in the
distribution of the larger grains (0.1 micron) that penetrate the heliopause.
Smaller grains (0.01 micron) are completely excluded from the Solar System at
the heliopause.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in the Solar Wind 12
conference proceeding
Is the magnetic field in the heliosheath laminar or a turbulent bath of bubbles?
All the current global models of the heliosphere are based on the assumption
that the magnetic field in the heliosheath, in the region close to the
heliopause is laminar. We argue that in that region the heliospheric magnetic
field is not laminar but instead consists of magnetic bubbles. Recently, we
proposed that the annihilation of the "sectored" magnetic field within the
heliosheath as it is compressed on its approach to the heliopause produces the
anomalous cosmic rays and also energetic electrons. As a product of the
annihilation of the sectored magnetic field, densely-packed magnetic
islands/bubbles are produced. These magnetic islands/bubbles will be convected
with the ambient flows as the sector region is carried to higher latitudes
filling the heliosheath. We further argue that the magnetic islands/bubbles
will develop upstream within the heliosheath. As a result, the magnetic field
in the heliosheath sector region will be disordered well upstream of the
heliopause. We present a 3D MHD simulation with very high numerical resolution
that captures the north-south boundaries of the sector region. We show that due
to the high pressure of the interstellar magnetic field a north-south asymmetry
develops such that the disordered sectored region fills a large portion of the
northern part of the heliosphere with a smaller extension in the southern
hemisphere. We suggest that this scenario is supported by the following changes
that occur around 2008 and from 2009.16 onward: a) the sudden decrease in the
intensity of low energy electrons detected by Voyager 2; b) a sharp reduction
in the intensity of fluctuations of the radial flow; and c) the dramatic
differences in intensity trends between GCRs at V1 and 2. We argue that these
observations are a consequence of V2 leaving the sector region of disordered
field during these periods and crossing into a region of unipolar laminar
field.Comment: 36 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Ap
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