The role of helicity in solar magnetic fields
Abstract
As the famous saying goes, the sun would be a boring star without its magnetic field. Equally, the sun's magnetic field would be a boring "element" without its topological complexity (helicity) and dynamics. Helicity protagonist would argue that it plays an important role in many processes that define creation, evolution, and disappearance of magnetic fields. The productivity of solar dynamo depends on kinetic helicity of its flows, but significant accumulation of magnetic helicity may also have a negative feed-back on dynamo. Propagation of magnetic fields through the convection zone and solar atmosphere may be affected by their helicity. Pre- and post-flare dynamics of magnetic fields and flows may reflect the transport of helicity through solar atmosphere, while helicity scale-separation could reveal itself in the interplanetary fields. But the skeptic might say that, perhaps, the role of helicity is overrated, and one does not need it at all? In this talk, I will provide a critical review of helicity concept and its role in solar magnetic fields.
- Publication:
-
39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012cosp...39.1493P