DOUBLE LAYERS AND CIRCUITS IN ASTROPHYSICS.

Since the rate of energy release P in a double layer with voltage DELTA V is given by P approximately equals I DELTA V, the author considers that a double layer must be treated as a part of a circuit which delivers the current I. As neither double layer nor circuit can be derived from magnetofluid models of a plasma, such models must be replaced by particle models and circuit theory. A simple circuit is suggested which is applied to the energizing of auroral particles, to solar flares, and to intergalactic double radio sources. Application to the heliospheric current systems leads to the prediction of two double layers on the sun's axis which may give radiations detectable from Earth. Double layers in space should be classified as a new type of celestial object (e. g. , double radio sources). It is tentatively suggested that X-ray and gamma -ray bursts may be due to exploding double layers, (although annihilation is an alternative energy source.