Accretion and magnetic fronts in galaxies

A. Petrov¹ - D. Moss² - D. Sokoloff³

¹ Moscow State Social University, Moscow, Russia
² Mathematics Department, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
³ Department of Physics, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia

Abstract
The sharp structures (magnetic fronts) of large-scale galactic magnetic fields are considered, with the effect of radial inflows has been taken into account. The velocity of a magnetic front travelling radially in the galactic disc is calculated. The possible roles of such magnetic field transients in explaining magnetic field reversals observed in the Milky Way are discussed. Tables 1, Refs 10.