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Magnetoconvection

Magnetoconvection

Magnetoconvection

N. O. Weiss, University of Cambridge
M. R. E. Proctor, University of Cambridge
No date available
Adobe eBook Reader
9781316055649
Adobe eBook Reader

    The last thirty years have seen great leaps forward in the subject of magnetoconvection. Computational techniques can now explain exotic nonlinear behaviour, transition to chaos and the formation of structures that can be observed on the surface of the Sun. Here, two leading experts present the current state of knowledge of the subject. They provide a mathematical and numerical treatment of the interactions between electrically conducting fluids and magnetic fields that lead to the complex structures and rich behaviour observed on the Sun and other stars, as well as in the interiors of planets like the Earth. The authors' combined analytical and computational approach provides a model for the study of a wide range of related problems. The discussion includes bifurcation theory, chaotic behaviour, pattern formation in two and three dimensions, and applications to geomagnetism and to the properties of sunspots and other features at the solar surface.

    • The presentation is mainly self-contained, with brief introductions to magnetohydrodynamics and to nonlinear dynamics
    • Relates theoretical applications of nonlinear dynamics to actual numerical solutions
    • A range of applications clarify the origin and properties of astrophysical, geophysical and planetary magnetism

    Reviews & endorsements

    'The book is foremost a lucid exposition of complementary analysis procedures that lead to an intuition and understanding of convection linked to magnetism in diverse settings. These certainly include the surface and interiors of stars, but so too magnetism built by convection in the molten cores of planets, and likely also in accretion disks. Access to this book provides the broad perspective that both young and mature researchers entering these areas should possess, and the book would serve well also in graduate courses in astrophysical and geophysical fluid dynamics … this is a lovely book that does justice to a double-diffusive system of very considerable interest.' Juri Toomre, Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

    '[This book] is a real pleasure to read and is a rich gold-mine that occupies a favourite place on my bookshelf.' Eric Priest, The Observatory

    See more reviews

    Product details

    No date available
    Adobe eBook Reader
    9781316055649
    0 pages
    0kg
    220 b/w illus.

    Table of Contents

    • Preface
    • 1. Introduction
    • 2. Basic MHD
    • 3. Linearized Boussinesq magnetoconvection
    • 4. The nonlinear regime
    • 5. 2D Boussinesq magnetoconvection
    • 6. 3D Boussinesq magnetoconvection
    • 7. Magnetoconvection, rotation and the dynamo
    • 8. Compressible magnetoconvection
    • 9. Solar and stellar magnetic fields
    • Appendix A. The Boussinesq and anelastic approximations
    • Appendix B. Chaotic systems
    • Appendix C. Double-diffusive convection
    • Appendix D. Magnetic buoyancy and the magneto-Boussinesq approximation
    • References
    • Index.
      Authors
    • N. O. Weiss , University of Cambridge

      N. O. Weiss is Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Clare College. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a former President of the Royal Astronomical Society, which awarded him a Gold Medal in 2007. His research has centred on astrophysical fluid dynamics and especially on nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic interactions between convection and magnetic fields in the Sun and other stars, as well as in the Earth.

    • M. R. E. Proctor , University of Cambridge

      M. R. E. Proctor is Professor of Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics at the University of Cambridge and Provost of King's College, having been for many years a Fellow of Trinity College. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Institute of Mathematics and Applications. His early research was concerned with nonlinear models of the geomagnetic field. More recently he has contributed to a number of research areas, including dynamical systems and pattern formation, solar dynamo theory and the interactions of magnetic fields and convection in the Sun.