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The magnetic field of a rotating cloud and magneto-rotational explosions

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Abstract

The contraction of a massive rotating plasma cloud with the magnetic field perpendicular to the axis of rotation and extending to infinity is considered. At some stage the contracting cloud reaches a state of dynamic quasi-stationary equilibrium. The change of the magnetic field in the cloud atmosphere before its arrival at the quasi-stationary state (stage I) and also in the process of quasi-equilibrium (stage II) are studied.

At stage I an essential change of the external magnetic field geometry occurs, namely the formation of zero (neutral) lines and the transformation of the field into a quasi-radial one. Given certain conditions, the reconnection of the field lines in neutral X-type points may occur with the formation of closed loops. In this case the flux of field lines, which connect the contracting cloud with infinity, decreases asymptotically as (R/R i)2/3, whereR/R i is the ratio of the present radius to initial one.

After the cloud arrives at the state of dynamic equilibrium (stage II) a considerable increasing of the magnetic field occurs due to twisting of the field lines by rotation. The field strength increases up to some threshold after which instability suddenly occurs. As a result of cumulation occurring in the zero-line direction, and the subsequent dynamic dissipation, the ejection of relativistic particles and plasma in both directions along the rotational axis takes place. The magnetic field restores itself rapidly due to the continual twisting and this leads to the appearance of repeated explosions.

The tension of the magnetic field lines as well as plasma outflow carry away the angular momentum. Its diminution determines the rate of secular gravitational contraction. During the contraction the rotational energy increases, so that recurrent bursts, being of magneto-rotational nature are based, finally, on the gravitational energy reservoir.

According to our calculations of the time-interval for repetition of explosions, the energy output and certain other parameters, we are able to explain repeated bursts in the nuclei of galaxies and quasars observed, in particular, in the appearance of radio-variability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute, U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, Moscow, U.S.S.R.

    L. M. Ozernoy & B. V. Somov

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  1. L. M. Ozernoy
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  2. B. V. Somov
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Extended version of the paper read at All-Moscow Astrophysical Seminar in Sternberg Astronomical Institute 3rd April 1969.

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Ozernoy, L.M., Somov, B.V. The magnetic field of a rotating cloud and magneto-rotational explosions. Astrophys Space Sci 11, 264–283 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00661358

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00661358

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