On the Origin of the Double-cell Meridional Circulation in the Solar Convection Zone

V. V. Pipin, A. G. Kosovichev

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent advances in helioseismology, numerical simulations and mean-field theory of solar differential rotation have shown that the meridional circulation pattern may consist of two or more cells in each hemisphere of the convection zone. According to the mean-field theory the double-cell circulation pattern can result from the sign inversion of a nondiffusive part of the radial angular momentum transport (the so-called Λ-effect) in the lower part of the solar convection zone. Here, we show that this phenomenon can result from the radial inhomogeneity of the Coriolis number, which depends on the convective turnover time. We demonstrate that if this effect is taken into account then the solar-like differential rotation and the double-cell meridional circulation are both reproduced by the mean-field model. The model is consistent with the distribution of turbulent velocity correlations determined from observations by tracing motions of sunspots and large-scale magnetic fields, indicating that these tracers are rooted just below the shear layer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number67
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume854
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 10 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • Sun: magnetic fields
  • Sun: rotation
  • dynamo
  • turbulence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'On the Origin of the Double-cell Meridional Circulation in the Solar Convection Zone'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this