An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

An electric generator, i.e. a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by virtue of the → electromagnetic induction.

From Ger. dynamoelektrischemaschine, coined (1867) by the German inventor Werner von Siemens (1816-1892), from Gk. dynamis "power," → dynamics.

Tavânzâ, from tavân "power," → dynamics + -zâ "generator," from zâdan "to give birth," Mid.Pers. zâtan, Av. zan- "to bear, give birth to a child, be born," infinitive zazâite, zâta- "born," cf. Skt. janati "begets, bears," L. gignere "to beget," PIE base *gen- "to give birth, beget."

The generation of magnetic fields by movements within a → plasma, such as the → convective cores and → convective envelopes of stars. The magnetic field is intensified by the motion of the plasma in much the same way as in a dynamo. The generated magnetic field is not static, but evolves over time.

→ dynamo; → effect.

A theory for the generation of a star's or planet's magnetic field by the circulation of conducting fluids inside it. → solar dynamo.

→ dynamo; → model.

Branch of magnetohydrodynamics concerned with self-excitation of magnetic fields in any large rotating mass of conducting fluid in motion (usually turbulent). Self-exciting dynamo action is believed to account for magnetic fields at the planetary, stellar, and galactic scales.

→ dynamo; → theory.

A device for measuring mechanical force; specifically, one that measures the output or driving torque of a rotating machine.

Dynamometer, from → dynamo + → -meter.

Tavânsanj, from tavân "power," → dynamics + -sanj, → -meter.

A model for explaining the generation of the → solar magnetic field and the related observational features (mainly → solar cycle, → Sporer's law, → Hale's law, → Joy's law, → polarity reversal). The global frame of this model is the interaction between a → turbulent plasma in the → convective zone (reciprocal generation of magnetic and electric fields) and the solar differential rotation (mutual transformation of meridional magnetic field into azimuthal magnetic field). The idea that a dynamo is responsible for generating the solar magnetic field was first proposed by Larmor (1919) and further developed by Cowling (1933), Parker (1955) and others.

→ solar; → dynamo.