The horizontal internetwork magnetic field: numerical simulations in comparison to observations with Hinode

Observations with the Hinode space observatory led to the discovery of predominantly horizontal magnetic fields in the photosphere of the quiet internetwork region. Here we investigate realistic numerical simulations of the surface layers of the Sun with respect to horizontal magnetic fields and compute the corresponding polarimetric response in the Fe I 630 nm line pair. We find a local maximum in the mean strength of the horizontal field component at a height of around 500 km in the photosphere, where it surpasses the vertical component by a factor of 2.0 or 5.6, depending on the initial and boundary conditions. From the synthesized Stokes profiles we derive a mean horizontal field component that is, respectively, 1.6 and 4.3 times stronger than the vertical component. This is a consequence of both the intrinsically stronger flux density of, and the larger area occupied by the horizontal fields. We find that convective overshooting expels horizontal fields to the upper photosphere, making the Poynting flux positive in the photosphere, while this quantity is negative in the convectively unstable layer below it.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, minor revisions, esp. concerning top boundary cond., ApJL accepte

Progress in Modeling Very Low Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs, and Planetary Mass Objects

We review recent advancements in modeling the stellar to substellar transition. The revised molecular opacities, solar oxygen abundances and cloud models allow to reproduce the photometric and spectroscopic properties of this transition to a degree never achieved before, but problems remain in the important M-L transition characteristic of the effective temperature range of characterizable exoplanets. We discuss of the validity of these classical models. We also present new preliminary global Radiation HydroDynamical M dwarfs simulations.Comment: Submitted to Mem. S. A. It. Supp

MHD effects of the solar wind flow around planets

International audienceThe study of the interaction of the solar wind with magnetized and unmagnetized planets forms a central topic of space research. Focussing on planetary magnetosheaths, we review some major developments in this field. Magnetosheath structures depend crucially on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field, the solar wind Alfvén Mach number, the shape of the obstacle (axisymmetric/non-axisymmetric, etc.), the boundary conditions at the magnetopause (low/high magnetic shear), and the degree of thermal anisotropy of the plasma. We illustrate the cases of Earth, Jupiter and Venus. The terrestrial magnetosphere is axisymmetric and has been probed in-situ by many spacecraft. Jupiter's magnetosphere is highly non-axisymmetric. Furthermore, we study magnetohydrodynamic effects in the Venus magnetosheath

Modification of wave propagation and wave travel-time by the presence of magnetic fields in the solar network atmosphere

Context. Observations of waves at frequencies above the acoustic cut-off frequency have revealed vanishing wave travel-times in the vicinity of strong magnetic fields. This detection of apparently evanescent waves, instead of the expected propagating waves, has remained a riddle. Aims. We investigate the influence of a strong magnetic field on the propagation of magneto-acoustic waves in the atmosphere of the solar network. We test whether mode conversion effects can account for the shortening in wave travel-times between different heights in the solar atmosphere. Methods. We carry out numerical simulations of the complex magneto-atmosphere representing the solar magnetic network. In the simulation domain, we artificially excite high frequency waves whose wave travel-times between different height levels we then analyze. Results. The simulations demonstrate that the wave travel-time in the solar magneto-atmosphere is strongly influenced by mode conversion. In a layer enclosing the surface sheet defined by the set of points where the Alfvén speed and the sound speed are equal, called the equipartition level, energy is partially transferred from the fast acoustic mode to the fast magnetic mode. Above the equipartition level, the fast magnetic mode is refracted due to the large gradient of the Alfvén speed. The refractive wave path and the increasing phase speed of the fast mode inside the magnetic canopy significantly reduce the wave travel-time, provided that both observing levels are above the equipartition level. Conclusions. Mode conversion and the resulting excitation and propagation of fast magneto-acoustic waves is responsible for the observation of vanishing wave travel-times in the vicinity of strong magnetic fields. In particular, the wave propagation behavior of the fast mode above the equipartition level may mimic evanescent behavior. The present wave propagation experiments provide an explanation of vanishing wave travel-times as observed with multi-line high-cadence instruments

Analysis of mirror modes convected from the bow shock to the magnetopause

Spacecraft observations confirm the existence of mirror fluctuations in the magnetosheath. The mirror instability occurs in an anisotropic magnetized plasma when the difference between perpendicular and parallel (with respect to the magnetic field) plasma pressure exceeds a threshold depending on the perpendicular plasma beta. The anisotropy of the plasma pressure increases from the shock to the magnetopause as a result of magnetic field line stretching. This gives rise to plasma fluctuations which in turn lead to a relaxation between parallel and perpendicular temperatures. Mirror perturbations do not propagate and are convected with plasma flow along the streamlines. Using an anisotropic steady-state MHD flow model, we calculate the growth of mirror fluctuations from the bow shock to the magnetopause along the subsolar streamline. For the anisotropic MHD model, we use the empirical closure equation suitable for the AMPTE/IRM observations. The amplitudes of mirror fluctuations, which are obtained as a function of distance from the magnetopause, are directly compared with AMPTE/IRM observations on October 24, 1985. With regard to both the amplification of the magnetic field and the plasma density oscillations, as well as the location of maximum amplitudes, model calculations are in good agreement with values obtained from the AMPTE/IRM data