Published March 15, 1982 | Version v1
Journal article

MHD instability in compact fluid objects

Creators

  • 1. Astronomy Program, University of Maryland

Description

It is proved that spherical and nearly spherical magnetized fluids that contain purely poloidal fields having a nonzero vacuum component are in general unstable to MHD motions, as conjectured by Flowers and Ruderman. The exact growth rate is calculated for a simple geometry. It is suggested that the instability may occur in magnetic white dwarfs, with observable consequences

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Astrophys. J.
Journal Volume
254
Journal Issue
2
Series
Astrophys. J.
Journal Page Range
683-687
ISSN
0004-637X

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
14722257
Subject category
S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
Descriptors DEI
FLUID FLOW; INSTABILITY; MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS; MAGNETIC STARS; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS; NEUTRON STARS; WHITE DWARF STARS
Descriptors DEC
DWARF STARS; FLUID MECHANICS; HYDRODYNAMICS; MECHANICS; STARS