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Vortical Motions Driven by Supernova Explosions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 August 2010

Maarit J. Korpi
Affiliation:
Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland
Axel Brandenburg
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
Anvar Shukurov
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
Ilkka Tuominen
Affiliation:
Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland
Jose Franco
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Alberto Carraminana
Affiliation:
Instituto Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica y Electronica, Tonantzintla, Mexico
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Summary

We investigate the generation of vorticity in supernova driven interstellar turbulence using a local three-dimensional MHD model. Our model includes the effects of density stratification, compressibility, magnetic fields, large-scale shear due to galactic differential rotation, heating via supernova explosions and parameterized radiative cooling of the interstellar medium; we also include viscosity and resistivity. We allow for multiple supernovae, which are distributed randomly in the galactic disc and exponentially in the vertical direction. When supernovae are infrequent, so that there is no interactions between supernova remnants, the dynamics of the system is dominated by strong shocks driven by the young remnants. Supernova interactions, where shock fronts from younger remnants encounter the dense shells of the older remnants, were found to produce vorticity via the baroclinic effect. Vorticity generated by the baroclinic effect was observed to be amplified by the stretching of vortex lines, these two vorticity production mechanisms being of equal importance after 1.5 × 108 years. Motions driven by the supernova explosions also amplify the magnetic field via stretching and compression. This generates a random component from a uniform azimuthal magnetic field prescribed as an initial condition and maintains it against Ohmic losses.

Introduction

The interstellar medium (ISM) is in a state of a compressible, inhomogeneous and anisotropic turbulent flow. There are several energy sources for the interstellar turbulence. Stellar winds, supernova (SN) explosions and superbubbles heat, accelerate and compress the ISM driving shock waves (e.g. Ostriker & McKee 1988).

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1999

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  • Vortical Motions Driven by Supernova Explosions
    • By Maarit J. Korpi, Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland, Axel Brandenburg, Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK, Anvar Shukurov, Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK, Ilkka Tuominen, Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland
  • Edited by Jose Franco, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Alberto Carraminana, Instituto Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica y Electronica, Tonantzintla, Mexico
  • Book: Interstellar Turbulence
  • Online publication: 04 August 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511564666.019
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  • Vortical Motions Driven by Supernova Explosions
    • By Maarit J. Korpi, Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland, Axel Brandenburg, Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK, Anvar Shukurov, Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK, Ilkka Tuominen, Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland
  • Edited by Jose Franco, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Alberto Carraminana, Instituto Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica y Electronica, Tonantzintla, Mexico
  • Book: Interstellar Turbulence
  • Online publication: 04 August 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511564666.019
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Vortical Motions Driven by Supernova Explosions
    • By Maarit J. Korpi, Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland, Axel Brandenburg, Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK, Anvar Shukurov, Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK, Ilkka Tuominen, Astronomy Division, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 333, 90571 Oulu, Finland
  • Edited by Jose Franco, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Alberto Carraminana, Instituto Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica y Electronica, Tonantzintla, Mexico
  • Book: Interstellar Turbulence
  • Online publication: 04 August 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511564666.019
Available formats
×