Identification

Title

Topological nature of the Parker magnetostatic theorem

Abstract

The two-plate initial boundary-value problem of Parker is reviewed, treating the relaxation of a 3D magnetic field prescribed with an arbitrary topology to a terminal force-free field in a cold, viscous, electrically perfect fluid conductor. Anchored by their foot-points at the perfectly conducting rigid plates, the relaxing field preserves its topology. The Parker magnetostatic theorem states that for most prescribed field topologies, the terminal field must embed current sheets. The elements of this theorem are reviewed and analyzed to relate this initial boundary-value problem to (i) the variational problem for a force-free field of a given topology and (ii) the direct construction of a force-free field in terms of its pair of Euler flux functions. New insights and understanding are presented on the theorem as the compelling basis of the Parker theory of solar coronal heating.

Resource type

document

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

https://n2t.org/ark:/85065/d7bv7mhp

codeSpace

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

geoscientificInformation

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

Text

originating controlled vocabulary

title

Resource Type

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

East bounding longitude

North bounding latitude

South bounding latitude

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

End position

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Frequency of update

Quality and validity

Lineage

Conformity

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Use constraints

Limitations on public access

None

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

contact position

OpenSky Support

organisation name

UCAR/NCAR - Library

full postal address

PO Box 3000

Boulder

80307-3000

email address

opensky@ucar.edu

web address

http://opensky.ucar.edu/

name: homepage

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact