NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Current sheet formation in a sheared force-free-magnetic fieldThis paper presents the results of a study showing how continuous shearing motion of magnetic footpoints in a tenuous, infinitely conducting plasma can lead to the development of current sheets, despite the absence of such sheets or even of neutral points in the initial state. The calculations discussed here verify the earlier suggestion by Low and Wolfson (1988) that extended current sheets should form due to the shearing of a force-free quadrupolar magnetic field. More generally, this work augments earlier studies suggesting that the appearance of discontinuities - current sheets - may be a necessary consequence of the topological invariance imposed on the magnetic field geometry of an ideal MHD system by virtue of its infinite conductivity. In the context of solar physics, the work shows how the gradual and continuous motion of magnetic footpoints at the solar photosphere may lead to the buildup of magnetic energy that can then be released explosively when finite conductivity effects become important and lead to the rapid dissipation of current sheets. Such energy release may be important in solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other eruptive events.
Document ID
19890064627
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Wolfson, Richard
(Middlebury College VT, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 344
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Accession Number
89A51998
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-85-20557
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-762
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available