Recent Progress in the Study of the General Magnetic Field of the Sun

1941 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Babcock
1971 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 675-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Severny

In an attempt to summarize the present knowledge on the general magnetic field (gmf) of the Sun we pointed out the fine structure and the statistical nature of the gmf as one of its most important properties. The dipole-like behaviour of the mean polar field strengths is combined sometimes (since 1964) with a bias of the S-polarity flux for both poles. Highly uneven distribution of gmf with latitude and longitude, the disappearance of gmf at the South pole for months, and short period, almost synchronous at both poles, variations in the sign of gmf are pointed out. The fluctuations with time of the mean magnetic field of the Sun seen as a star (as well as mf at different latitudes) shows periodicity connected with the rotation of the Sun and very close agreement with the fluctuations of the interplanetary field (sector structure). The effect of faster rotation of N-polarities as compared with S-polarities as well as the bias of mean solar as well as interplanetary S-polarity fields are also pointed out. The possibility of short time-scale (hours) intrinsic changes in the local pattern of gmf is demonstrated.


Author(s):  
Clare E. Parnell ◽  
Ineke De Moortel

Determining the heating mechanism (or mechanisms) that causes the outer atmosphere of the Sun, and many other stars, to reach temperatures orders of magnitude higher than their surface temperatures has long been a key problem. For decades, the problem has been known as the coronal heating problem, but it is now clear that ‘coronal heating’ cannot be treated or explained in isolation and that the heating of the whole solar atmosphere must be studied as a highly coupled system. The magnetic field of the star is known to play a key role, but, despite significant advancements in solar telescopes, computing power and much greater understanding of theoretical mechanisms, the question of which mechanism or mechanisms are the dominant supplier of energy to the chromosphere and corona is still open. Following substantial recent progress, we consider the most likely contenders and discuss the key factors that have made, and still make, determining the actual (coronal) heating mechanism (or mechanisms) so difficult.


Solar Physics ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-315
Author(s):  
F. Unz ◽  
K. Walter

1950 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
SF Smerd

The equation of transfer of radiation and the magneto-ionic theory are used to derive expressions for the degree of polarization of thermal " solar noise " due to a general magnetic field of the sun. In particular, the net polarization of 600 Mc/s. (50 cm.) radiation corresponding to the maximum phase of the eclipse of November 1, 1948, as seen from Melbourne, Victoria, is evaluated theoretically and compared with observational evidence. This leads to an upper limit of 11 gauss for the surface field- strength at the solar poles at the time of observation.


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