Dynamical Instability in an Anisotropic Ionized Gas of Low Density

Abstract

It is shown that when the thermal motions of a tenuous ionized gas are sufficiently anisotropic, the gas, and the initially uniform magnetic field which the gas is assumed to contain, become unstable. One mode of instability occurs when the gas pressure is greater parallel to the field than perpendicular, and another mode when the pressure is greater perpendicular than parallel. It is suggested that such instabilities may be of astrophysical interest, particularly with regard to the configuration of the solar dipole field as it is drawn out into interplanetary space by ionized gas from the sun.