Galactic Dynamics and Magnetic Field Amplification

Lesch, Harald (1993): Galactic Dynamics and Magnetic Field Amplification. In: Symposium - International Astronomical Union, Bd. 157: S. 395-401

Abstract

Stimulated by recent high frequency radio polarization measurements of M83 and M51, we consider the influence of non-axisymmetric features (bars, spiral arms, etc…) on galactic magnetic fields. The time scale for the field amplification due to the non-axisymmetric velocity field is related to the time scale of angular momentum transport in the disk by the non-axisymmetric features. Due to its dissipational character (cooling and angular momentum transport) the gas plays a major role for the excitation of non-axisymmetric instabilities. Since it is the gaseous component of the interstellar gas in which magnetic field amplification takes place we consider the interplay of gasdynamical processes triggered by gravitational instabilities and magnetic fields. A comparison with the time scale for dynamo action in a disk from numerical models for disk dynamos gives the result that field amplification by non-axisymmetric features is faster in galaxies like M83 (strong bar) and M51 (compagnion and very distinct spiral structure), than amplification by an axisymmetric dynamo. Furthermore, we propose that axisymmetric gravitational instabilities may provide the turbulent magnetic diffusivity ηT. Based on standard galaxy models we obtain a radially dependent diffusivity whose numerical value rises from 1025 cm 2 s −1 to 1027 cm 2 s −1, declining for large radii.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Physik
• Themengebiete: 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 520 Astronomie ; 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 530 Physik
• Sprache: Englisch