Plasma convection in force-free magnetic fields as a mechanism for chemical separation in cosmical plasmas
DURING the past two decades, progress in space research has forced us to abandon the earlier idea of a cosmical plasma as being a homogeneous medium. Filament formation and chemical separation are two important phenomena that are often observed in cosmical plasmas and illustrate the importance of inhomogeneity. An average composition from the Sun's atmosphere used to be taken as a standard when expressing cosmic abundancies in general. Numerous observations, however, of the chemical composition in the solar wind from in situ measurements and from lunar soil and meteorite samples, indicate a great variability in these ratios1. The proton to α-particle flux ratio for solar flare energetic particle events varies widely between and within events2. Recent observations show that this variability is connected with the flare process itself and the earlier history of the flare, rather than propagation effects between the flare site and the observer. Some local chemical differentiation mechanism in the preflare history of the specific active region is probably responsible for the composition of the emitted, energetic particles. The phenomena of filamentation and chemical separation may be coupled, as in the presence of a temperature gradient, the plasma convection associated with filamentary structures provides an effective means of selective transport. The general principles of this mechanism are described here. These principles may be important not only in solar flares but in many other cosmical plasmas where force-free fields and thermal gradients occur.
Toward a Real Cosmology in the 21st Century
A real cosmology must be a broad and coherent natural philosophy. It may always be incomplete, based on our limitations, but to be valid there can be no exceptions in our experience. In particular, cosmology must address issues of life and the human condition. Therefore it must be a truly interdisciplinary pursuit. Modern specialized science is a hostile environment for such a quest. For example, the world's largest professional body, the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), recognizes plasma cosmology while it remains unheard of by students of astronomy. Plasma cosmology receives no publicity although it deals empirically with the electromagnetic behavior of plasma, which constitutes almost the entire visible universe. Unlike theoretical big bang cosmology, plasma cosmology can claim successful predictions without recourse to hypothetical matter, energies and forces. However, despite its many successes, plasma cosmology cannot claim to be the final answer because it does not deal with unsolved problems in basic and stellar physics. The new Electric Universe cosmology addresses those fundamental problems and in doing so offers a breakthrough in understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. It provides practical insights for broad scientific progress and space exploration. The Electric Universe is a convergent, interdisciplinary cosmology that attempts, in the words of E. O. Wilson, "consilience," or "the unity of knowledge."
Helium abundance variations
Using observations of the solar wind by Explorers 34 and 43, the relationship is confirmed between the relative abundance of helium n sub alpha/n sub p and the bulk speed U of the wind, recently described by Hirschberg, Asbridge and Robbins. Use of this relationship n sub alpha/n sub p = a(t)+bU allows the dependence of the relative abundance of helium upon solar activity to be separated from its bulk speed dependence. The proportion of helium in the solar wind at a given bulk speed is found to increase with increasing sunspot number, averaged over the period of observation. It is shown that the relationship between average relative abundance and temperature, deduced using the bulk speed - temperature relation, is consistent with the data. The relative abundance of helium is not found to increase with increasing solar wind flux. This confirms the result of Hirschberg et al, and contradicts the theoretical prediction of Geiss.