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Comment on ‘average photospheric poloidal and toroidal magnetic field components near solar minimum’ by Duvall et al.

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Abstract

We discuss the dynamical interpretation of evidence for an azimuthal tilt of the global magnetic field from the radial direction at the photosphere. We point out that the Reynolds stresses of supergranular convective motions might produce the required small tilt of intense flux tubes, without implying an unacceptably large momentum flux across the photospheric surface into the solar wind. Our calculations lead us to conclude that there is little reason, at present, to infer (Duvall et al., 1979) a separate low intensity constituent of the global magnetic field, from the observational evidence for an azimuthal tilt. More precise measurements of the vertical component of supergranular motions would be useful in determining the actual torque exerted by the Reynolds stresses on the magnetic field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., 02139, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.

    P. Foukal

  2. Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics, Goddard Space Flight Center, Tucson, Ariz., U.S.A.

    T. L. Duvall Jr.

Authors
  1. P. Foukal
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  2. T. L. Duvall Jr.
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Foukal, P., Duvall, T.L. Comment on ‘average photospheric poloidal and toroidal magnetic field components near solar minimum’ by Duvall et al. . Sol Phys 67, 9–12 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146677

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146677

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