Ejection of bi-helical fields from the sun

Abstract

It is argued that much of the observed magnetic helicity losses at the solar surface may represent a reduction of an otherwise more dominant nonlinearity of solar and stellar dynamos. This nonlinearity is proportional to the internal twist (as opposed to writhe) of helical and sigmoidal surface structures.

4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Magnetic field and Helicity in the Sun and the Heliosphere, eds: D. Rust & B. Schmieder, ASP Conference Series, XXV JD3 (2003)