Thin-sectioning and microanalysis of individual extraterrestrial particles

A study has been made of equilibrium conditions of the magnetic field in a stratified medium influenced by a gravity force. Two classes of equilibrium solutions, arising in the presence of a neutral line of the magnetic field, are derived. When the topology of an initial magnetic field does not correspond to these two classes of solutions, reconnection is taking place and a current sheet is produced. Some examples of magnetic non-equilibrium are given. The topology of these lines of force for these configurations is not equivalent to the final equilibrium state, and the formation of current sheets with a subsequent dissipation of the magnetic field is inevitable. The situations under examination are all readily realized in the solar corona. Magnetic non-equilibrium may represent one of the reconnections of lines of force mechanisms in the solar corona.