Sun  ID: 3583

The Solar Dynamo: Toroidal and Radial Magnetic Fields

Visualizations by Tom Bridgman Released on August 19, 2008
Using the solar plasma flows as input (see The Solar Dynamo: Plasma Flows), the equations of magnetohydrodynamics, and 'seeding' the calculations with an initial small magnetic field, one can compute how a magnetic field can grow and be maintained. This is the dynamo process, the net result being that part of the Sun's outflowing thermal convective energy from nuclear processes is used to create the magnetic field.

In this view of the solar dynamo mechanism, we examine the evolution of the toroidal magnetic field, intensities represented by color on the right-hand cross-section, and the radial magnetic field, represented on the left-hand cross-section. To see the poloidal magnetic vector potential, see The Solar Dynamo: Toroidal and Poloidal Magnetic Fields.

In this visualization, the magnetic field lines (represented by the 'copper wire' structures) are 'snapshots' of the field structure constructed at each time step of the model. These field lines should not be considered as 'moving' or 'stretching' as the model evolves in time.

Even this simplified model reproduces a number of characteristics observed in the actual solar magnetic field.

  1. Cyclic behavior with oscillations in the magnetic field amplitude.
  2. Magnetic regions at the surface migrate from high latitudes towards the equator. This reproduces the "Butterfly Diagram" pattern.
  3. Surface magnetic polarities reverse with each cycle

Because this model is axisymmetric, it cannot simulate non-axisymmetric features such as active longitudes.

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This movie starts with a view of the Sun with sunspots changing as part of the solar cycle. The surface opens to reveal the interior magnetic field structure.
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Same as the movie above but with color bars.
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Opening frame of the movie.
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A view of the Sun with more sunspots.
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Near solar minimum, we have relatively simple magnetic field line structures.
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As the system evolves to sunspot maximum, the field lines in the polar regions become much more contorted.
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Intense regions of the toroidal field exhibit tight bunches of field lines, so they look like a cable in this visual.
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As the cycle is near minimum, field lines 'bunch up' much less.
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Near maximum again, the field lines bunch up in regions of intense toroidal fields.
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Another visit to solar minimum reveals deep mid-latitude structure in the magnetic field.
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Color bar for toroidal magnetic field vector.
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Color bar for radial magnetic field vector
 

Related

The Solar Dynamo: Plasma Flows
The Solar Dynamo: Toroidal and Poloidal Magnetic Fields

Visualization Credits

Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Animator
Andres Munoz-Jaramillo (Montana State University): Scientist
Dibyendu Nandi (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata): Scientist
William D. Pesnell (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Petrus C. H. Martens (Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics): Scientist
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

Science Paper:
Helioseismic Data Inclusion in Solar Dynamo Models

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3583

Mission:
SOHO

Data Used:
SOHO/Michelson Doppler Interferometer (MDI)/Continuum
NASA and ESA - May 1996-February 2009
view all stories where this data set is used
Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.

This item is part of these series:
SDO Pre-launch
Solar Dynamo
SDO - Visualizations

Keywords:
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Magnetic Fields
SVS >> SOHO
SVS >> Solar Cycle
SVS >> Solar Rotation
GCMD >> Location >> Solar Interior
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> For Educators
SVS >> Solar Plasma Flows
SVS >> Solar Magnetic Field
NASA Science >> Sun

GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0