SYSTEMATIC CONSTRUCTION OF EXACT MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC MODELS FOR ASTROPHYSICAL WINDS AND JETS

By a systematic method we construct general classes of exact and self- consistent axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) solutions describing flows that originate in the near environment of a central gravitating astrophysical object. The unifying scheme contains two large groups o f exact MHD outflow models: (I) meridionally self-similar models with spherical critical surfaces; and (II) radially self-similar models wit h conical critical surfaces. This classification includes known polytr opic models, such as the classical Parker description of a stellar win d and the Blandford st Payne model of a disc wind; it also contains no n-polytropic models, such as those of winds/jets in Sauty & Tsinganos, Lima, Tsinganos & Priest, and Trussoni, Tsinganos & Sauty. Besides th e unification of all known cases under a common scheme, several new cl asses emerge and some are briefly analysed; they could be explored for a further understanding of the physical properties of MHD outflows fr om various magnetized and rotating astrophysical objects in stellar or galactic systems.