Magnetohydrodynamics in Solar and Space Physics

GOMEZ, DANIEL

Punta Leona

Conferencia; IX Latin American Conference on Space Geophysics; 2011

Asociación Latinoamericana de Geofísica Espacial (ALAGE)

Because of its proximity, our Sun provides a unique opportunity to perform high resolution observations of its outer layers throughout the whole spectrum. We can also theoretically model many of the fascinating physical phenomena taking place on the Sun, such as the evolution of its magnetic cycle, the dynamics and heating of active regions in the corona and the occurrence of solar flares. Many of these phenomena can be properly studied within the framework of magnetohydrodynamics. Throughout this lecture, we will review the basic features of magnetohydrodynamics and focus on two particularapplications: dynamo mechanisms to generate the solar magnetic field and the turbulent heating of coronal active regions.