This is a simulation of a 2 dimensional Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability. The top fluid (black) is moving to the right and the bottom fluid (white) is moving to the left. Tiny (~0.01) perturbations in velocity are added to "seed" the instability. Grid Size: 600x600. Made at the U of Minnesota with support from the Minnesota Super Computing Institute and the Department of Astronomy.
it is the growth of the kelvin-helmholtz instability. after a very long time it will form into a steady cat's eye IF the magnetic fields are sufficiently weak. the cat's eye fails to form if magnetic fields suppress the instability. you are correct that once the cat's eye forms the flow can be called the kelvin-stewart vortex. we have some other movies showing the failed growth when the fluid is magnetized. please check those too.
compastrouofm 1 year ago