A magnetohydrodynamic mechanism for the formation of solar polar vortices

Very little is known about their existence or dynamics on the Sun. What should be expected near the Sun’s pole for the upcoming solar multi-viewpoint and polar missions?

Here, we report the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nonlinear simulations for the formation and evolution of solar polar vortices using a near-surface MHD shallow-water model. Our findings indicate that the rush to the poles, the migration of magnetic fields toward the pole following the Sun’s magnetic cycle, can positively contribute to the formation of polar vortices. The mechanism proposed here for the formation of polar vortices involves the role of magnetic fields and may be relevant to any star with a magnetic cycle.