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Mass transport in a neutron star magnetosphereThe interaction between a thin Keplerian accretion disk and a magnetosphere surrounding a central object is investigated within the framework of an analytical description for the magnetic field configuration. The commonly held assumption that all accreting plasma flows from the magnetospheric boundary to the stellar surface is shown to be overly restrictive. If the magnetospheric boundary is defined as the distance where the rotation starts deviating significantly from the Kepler rate, it is found that there is an extensive region inside this boundary where gas, nearly corotating with the star, drifts inward across the field by an interchange instability. The linear analysis of this instability is presented. It is also found that gas tied to field lines can be in equilibrium at positions off the midplane, and that gas can plausibly flow from the midplane to these positions, in certain circumstances. The observational consequences of such a picture are briefly discussed.
Document ID
19900064678
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Spruit, H. C.
(Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik Garching, Federal Republic of Germany, United States)
Taam, R. E.
(Northwestern University Evanston, IL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume: 229
Issue: 2 Ma
ISSN: 0004-6361
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
90A51733
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-768
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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