Rigid and differential rotation driven by oscillations within the sun.
Abstract
Long-period oscillations involving the entire mass of the sun rotate like rigid bodies, and their oscillatory power is distributed nonuniformly across the solar surface. A mostly qualitative theory is constructed showing how the oscillations drive convective flows of global scale, which then organize photospheric and coronal magnetic fields into patterns which rotate rigidly. The convection rises along long graceful curves, creating the magnetic-arcade structures in the corona and unipolar photospheric regions on each side by dynamo action. These are thought to be the origin of the sector structure in the solar wind. The rigid patterns of convective upwelling also force nonrigid horizontal winds on the solar surface. Under the action of the Coriolis force, the main horizontal motions are converted into polar and equatorial wind currents which have the proper directions to drive the differential rotation long observed on the sun's surface.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1974
- DOI:
- 10.1086/153266
- Bibcode:
- 1974ApJ...194..489W
- Keywords:
-
- Convective Flow;
- Oscillations;
- Solar Atmosphere;
- Solar Magnetic Field;
- Solar Rotation;
- Angular Velocity;
- Dynamo Theory;
- Flow Distribution;
- Magnetic Field Configurations;
- Photosphere;
- Solar Corona;
- Solar Wind;
- Solar Physics