Solar dynamo, meridional circulations, emergence and expansion of magnetic fields
Abstract
The magnetic field is a key agent of the solar activity. Processes of generation, emergence, dispersal over the solar surface and expansion to the corona determine solar activity on all scales: from the solar cycle to nano-flares. The past peculiar solar minimum allowed us to further explore meridional flows, magnetic field evolution in quiet sun, and expansion of the flux into the corona. Our understanding of the dynamo process made a new circle along the dialectic spiral: from the classical Babcock-Leighton model that explains the global dynamo and solar cycle, to the acceptance of the small-scale local turbulent dynamo, which might operate inside the near-surface layer and to be responsible for generation of small-scale magnetic fields forming the magnetic carpet. And yet, this scenario of simultaneous action of two dynamos seems to be oversimplified. Finally, closing the circle, we suggest that the solar dynamo is both chaotic and cyclic and performs as a nonlinear dynamical system. An enormous progress, achieved during the last decade in modeling and observations of the magnetic field generation, emergence and dispersion will be the focus of this talk.
- Publication:
-
40th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014cosp...40E..20A