Published February 1, 1974 | Version v1
Journal article

Rotating magnetosphere: far-field solutions

Creators

  • 1. Department of Space Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77001

Description

General principles are established for the solution of the distant magnetic field structure about a rotating axisymmetrically magnetized object surrounded by plasma of negligible inertia. These principles are applied to the interesting case of a dipole magnetic field (as well as the monopole case) and can readily be extended to any other axisymmetric multipole. Analytic solutions are shown, and we thereby compute relevant physical quantities (charge density, magnetic field intensity, torque, etc.). The result, that the magnetic field lines form a perfect universal Archimedean spiral according to the relationship tan = wp/c, is found to be general and applies to all axisymmetric multipoles in the zero inertia limit. In the above equation, is the angular deviation of the field line from radial, w is the rotation rate, p is the distance from the rotation axis, and c is the velocity of light. Also general, the flow velocity is everywhere purely radial and equal to c. Subject headings: hydromagnetics - magnetic stars - rotation

Additional details

Additional titles

Augmented title (English)
Archimedean spiral, axisymmetric multipoles

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
The Astrophysical Journal
Journal Volume
187
Journal Issue
3
Series
Astrophys. J.
Journal Page Range
585
ISSN
0004-637X

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
5144897
Subject category
S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
Descriptors DEI
MAGNETIC FIELDS; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS; MULTIPOLES; PLASMA; ROTATION; STARS; STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES
Descriptors DEC
ATMOSPHERES; FLUID MECHANICS; HYDRODYNAMICS; MECHANICS; STELLAR ATMOSPHERES

Optional Information

Notes
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