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Numerical models of the galactic dynamo
Author(s) -
White M. P.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
astronomische nachrichten
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.394
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1521-3994
pISSN - 0004-6337
DOI - 10.1002/asna.19782990407
Subject(s) - dynamo , physics , solar dynamo , dynamo theory , boundary value problem , astrophysics , galaxy , nonlinear system , statistical physics , classical mechanics , magnetic field , quantum mechanics
Axisymmetric αω‐dynamo models are investigated numerically for the galactic dynamo. Contrasting to the eigenvalue formulation of the problem by S TIX (1976), an initial‐value formulation is developed in a manner which is a generalization of the approach to the solar dynamo by J EPPS (1975). It is found, for S TIX's model, that the critical dynamo numbers, P c , obtained by this approach do not agree with those obtained by S TIX . In order to resolve this disagreement S OWARD (1977) has evaluated an asymptotic formula for P c which confirm the results presented here. Having established this approach, the dependence of the models upon boundary conditions and the relevant astrophysical parameters is investigated, and an attempt is made to simulate nonlinear effects. Finally a comparison is made between predictions of the dynamo models and the observed radiation of certain external galaxies which provides insight into the nature of the intergalactic medium.