Dynamics of fibril magnetic fields. III. Fibril configurations in steady flows

The goal of this paper is to provide an illustration of the equilibrium form of a hypothetical fibril field beneath the surface of the Sun. The known dynamical properties of fibrils and the paths of individual fibrils in a horizontal flow, balancing the tension in the fibril against the buoyancy and aerodynamic drag. The equation is integrated for an isothermal atmosphere with a gentle vertical shear. The resulting fibril paths illustrate the forms that may be encountered a few thousand km beneath the visible surface of the Sun. It is pointed out that at depths of 104 km and more the fibrils are so strongly locked into the fluid motion as to be carried along bodily with the flow. At the surface of the Sun, on the other hand, the aerodynamic drag is so weak that the equilibrium path is essentially vertical, in agreement with observation