The Fluid Mechanics of Astrophysics and Geophysics: Stellar and Planetary Magnetism

Abstract

Stellar and Planetary Magnetism represents the proceedings of the Workshop on Planetary and Stellar Magnetism held in Budapest, Hungary, August 25–29, 1980. It is the second volume in a series on the fluid mechanics of astrophysics and geophysics, edited by P.H. Roberts. The first volume is Solar Flare Magnetohydrodynamics, with Eric Priest as volume editor. It is clear from reading both volumes that the overall editorial policy is one of exposition for an audience much broader than the experts that contributed the papers. Stellar and Planetary Magnetism, like its predecessor, is as much a textbook as it is a topical review of the latest developments. The successive sections are devoted to dynamo theory, high conductivity dynamos and flux expulsion, solar magnetism, stellar magnetism, geomagnetism, and compositional convection, the last topic referring to the forces that drive the convection in the core of earth. In that respect there has been a question for years whether there is enough thermal energy released in the liquid core to drive convection and power the geomagnetic dynamo. It now appears that the slow cooling and solidification of the liquid core, to form a growing solid dendritic core at the center, is the most effective means for driving the convection. The basic thermodynamics and hydrodynamics of this effect are presented with gratifying clarity and directness.