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Vortices on accretion disks

Nature volume 356, pages 41–43 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

EVERY rotating cosmic fluid that can be observed sufficiently closely displays either vortices or magnetic flux tubes on its surface; examples are tornadoes in the Earth's atmosphere1, the Great Red Spot and other vortices in Jupiter's atmosphere, and sunspots. We suggest here that hot accretion disks also produce coherent objects, and that these vortices and magnetic flux tubes will cause significant dissipation and other observable physical effects. They will facilitate the escape of collimated radiation from deep within hot disks, producing spectral changes and time variability in the radiation from the disk. In the case of active galactic nuclei, modification of X-ray spectra due to the presence of vortices on accretion disks permits us to explain several observational puzzles, including short-term variability and the low degree of linear polarization.

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Author notes

  1. E. A. Spiegel: Columbia University, 538 West 120 Street New York, New York 10027, USA

  2. E. A. Spiegel: University of Ferrara, Via Paradiso, 12, 44100 Ferrara, Italy

  3. E. Szuszkiewicz: Queen Mary and Westfield College, Mile End Road, London El 4NS, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scuola Internazlonale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Beirut 4, 34014, Trieste, Italy

    M. A. Abramowicz, A. Lanza, E. A. Spiegel & E. Szuszkiewicz

  2. NORDITA, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    M. A. Abramowicz, A. Lanza, E. A. Spiegel & E. Szuszkiewicz

  3. ICTP, Strada Costiere, 11, 34014, Trieste, Italy

    M. A. Abramowicz, A. Lanza, E. A. Spiegel & E. Szuszkiewicz

Authors
  1. M. A. Abramowicz
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  2. A. Lanza
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  3. E. A. Spiegel
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  4. E. Szuszkiewicz
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Abramowicz, M., Lanza, A., Spiegel, E. et al. Vortices on accretion disks. Nature 356, 41–43 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/356041a0

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