Re: magnetic lines like these?

[LUDWIK KOWALSKI <KOWALSKIL@alpha.montclair.edu>]

Thanks for the e-mail address of Van Allen. I did write to him  (about 
Figure 4 of chapter 3 in THE NEW SOLAR SYSTEM) and he responded by writing: 

> ... This figure was included without my knowledge by the editor after I 
> had delivered my final manuscript and not by me. I have never been very 
> fond of it, though it does convey a crude but relatively superficial 
> impression of what we know of the heliosphere.

It would not be appropriate to quote the rest of his message (a long 
elaboration on the last phrase) without asking for permission.

                                                    Ludwik Kowalski
P.S.
The main issue is to explain the experimental fact; measurable magnetic
fields were recorded by satellites as far as 100 AU from the Sun. How
can this happen? Here is what is written about this in an Astronomy 
textbook (Zeilik, 8th edition, page 160). I wish I could explain this 
to myself. Please help, if you can.

....................................................................
"As a plasma moves through a magnetic field, the charged particles are
trapped in spiral paths along the magnetic field lines. [OK so far.] 
The plasma becomes bound to the magnetic field. At the same time the 
plasma captures the magnetic field and holds it within the plasma. Once
an organized flow of charged particles has been set up, it generates its 
own magnetic field (as does an electromagnet). This field from the moving
particles maintains the magnetic field that first caused the current flow.
So the original field is reinforced. Then if a plasma moves in bulk, it
carries the magnetic field lines with it."
........................................................................

It is like saying that an electron keeps circuling when the proton is
removed from a hydrogen atom. Can it cary the electric field of the
proton without a proton? Solar magnetic field is due to currents inside 
the star. How can it be taken away from the star (to a distance as large
as 100 AU? A self-generating magnetic field? 

The mean DC field, in the solar chromosphere, is not much stronger than
that of a toy magnet. 
                                Ludwik Kowalski