Core Of Coronal Mass Ejections Research Articles

Evolution of the thermodynamic properties of a coronal mass ejection in the inner Corona

The thermodynamic evolution of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in the inner corona (≤1.5 Rsun) is not yet completely understood. In this work, we study the evolution of thermodynamic properties of a CME core observed in the inner corona on 20 July 2017, by combining the MLSO/K-Cor white-light and the MLSO/CoMP Fe XIII 10747 Å line spectroscopic data. We also estimate the emission measure weighted temperature (TEM) of the CME core by applying the Differential Emission Measure (DEM) inversion technique on the SDO/AIA six EUV channels data and compare it with the effective temperature (Teff) obtained using Fe XIII line width measurements. We find that the Teff and TEM of the CME core show similar variation and remain almost constant as the CME propagates from ∼1.05 to 1.35 Rsun. The temperature of the CME core is of the order of million-degree kelvin, indicating that it is not associated with a prominence. Further, we estimate the electron density of this CME core using K-Cor polarized brightness (pB) data and found it decreasing by a factor of ∼3.6 as the core evolves. An interesting finding is that the temperature of the CME core remains almost constant despite expected adiabatic cooling due to the expansion of the CME core, which suggests that the CME core plasma must be heated as it propagates. We conclude that the expansion of this CME core behaves more like an isothermal than an adiabatic process.

Toward a Unified Explanation for the Three-part Structure of Solar Coronal Mass Ejections

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are associated with the eruption of magnetic flux ropes (MFRs), which usually appear as hot channels in active regions and coronal cavities in quiet-Sun regions. CMEs often exhibit a classical three-part structure in the lower corona when imaged with white-light coronagraphs, including a bright front, dark cavity, and bright core. For several decades, the bright core and dark cavity have been regarded as the erupted prominence and MFR, respectively. However, recent studies have clearly demonstrated that both the prominence and hot-channel MFR can be observed as the CME core. The current research presents a three-part CME resulting from the eruption of a coronal prominence cavity on 2010 October 7, with observations from two vantage perspectives, i.e., edge-on from the Earth and face-on from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO). Our observations illustrate two important results: (1) for the first time, the erupting coronal cavity is recorded as a channel-like structure in the extreme-ultraviolet passband, analogous to the hot-channel morphology, and is dubbed as the warm channel; and (2) both the prominence and warm-channel MFR (coronal cavity) in the extreme-ultraviolet passbands evolve into the CME core in the white-light coronagraphs of STEREO-A. The results suggest that we are working toward a unified explanation for the three-part structure of CMEs, in which both prominences and MFRs (hot or warm channels) are responsible for the bright core.

Constraining the CME Core Heating and Energy Budget with SOHO/UVCS

Abstract We describe the energy budget of a coronal mass ejection (CME) observed on 1999 May 17 with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS). We constrain the physical properties of the CME’s core material as a function of height along the corona by using the spectra taken by the single-slit coronagraph spectrometer at heliocentric distances of 2.6 and 3.1 solar radii. We use plasma diagnostics from intensity ratios, such as the O vi doublet lines, to determine the velocity, density, temperature, and nonequilibrium ionization states. We find that the CME core’s velocity is approximately 250 km s−1, and its cumulative heating energy is comparable to its kinetic energy for all of the plasma heating parameterizations that we investigated. Therefore, the CME’s unknown heating mechanisms have the energy to significantly affect the CME’s eruption and evolution. To understand which parameters might influence the unknown heating mechanism, we constrain our model heating rates with the observed data and compare them to the rate of heating generated within a similar CME that was constructed by the MAS code’s 3D MHD simulation. The rate of heating from the simulated CME agrees with our observationally constrained heating rates when we assume a quadratic power law to describe a self-similar CME expansion. Furthermore, the heating rates agree when we apply a heating parameterization that accounts for the CME flux rope’s magnetic energy being converted directly into thermal energy. This UVCS analysis serves as a case study for the importance of multislit coronagraph spectrometers for CME studies.

Temperature and Thermal Energy of a Coronal Mass Ejection

Due to the scarcity of UV–EUV observations of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) far from the Sun (i.e., at heliocentric distances larger than 1.5 Rsun) our understanding of the thermodynamic evolution of these solar phenomena is still very limited. This work focuses on the analysis of a slow CME observed at the same time and in the same coronal locations in visible light (VL) by the MLSO Mark IV polarimeter and in the UV Lyman-α by the SOHO UVCS spectrometer. The eruption was observed at two different heliocentric distances (1.6 and 1.9 Rsun), making this work a test case for possible future multi-slit observations of solar eruptions. The analysis of combined VL and UV data allows the determination of 2D maps of the plasma electron density and also the plasma electron temperature, thus allowing the quantification of the distribution of the thermal energy density. The results show that the higher temperatures in the CME front are due to simple adiabatic compression of pre-CME plasma, while the CME core has a higher temperature with respect to the surrounding CME void and front. Despite the expected adiabatic cooling, the CME core temperatures increased between 1.6 and 1.9 Rsun from 2.4 MK up to 3.2 MK, thus indicating the presence of plasma heating processes occurring during the CME expansion. The 2D distribution of thermal energy also shows a low level of symmetry with respect to the CME propagation axis, possibly related with the CME interaction with nearby coronal structures. This work demonstrates the potential of UV and VL data combination and also of possible future multi-slit spectroscopic observations of CMEs.

Multiple Sources of Solar High-energy Protons

Abstract During the 24th solar cycle, the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) has observed a total of 27 solar flares possessing delayed γ-ray emission, including the exceptionally well-observed flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) on 2017 September 10. Based on the Fermi/LAT data, we plot, for the first time, maps of possible sources of the delayed >100 MeV γ-ray emission of the 2017 September 10 event. The long-lasting γ-ray emission is localized under the CME core. The γ-ray spectrum exhibits intermittent changes in time, implying that more than one source of high-energy protons was formed during the flare–CME eruption. We find a good statistical correlation between the γ-ray fluences of the Fermi/LAT-observed delayed events and the products of corresponding CME speed and the square root of the soft X-ray flare magnitude. Data support the idea that both flares and CMEs jointly contribute to the production of subrelativistic and relativistic protons near the Sun.

Radio Signature of a Distant behind-the-limb CME on 2017 September 6

Abstract We discuss properties of a Type IV burst, which was observed on 2017 September 6, as a result of the powerful flare X 9.3. At decameter wavelengths this burst was observed by the radio telescopes STEREO A, URAN-2, and the Nancay Decameter Array at frequencies 5–35 MHz. This moving Type IV burst was associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) propagating in the southwest direction with a speed of 1570 km s−1. The maximum radio flux of this burst was about 300 s.f.u. and the polarization was more than 40%. In the frequency range of 8–33 MHz it continued for more than 2 hr. For STEREO A the associated CME was behind the limb, and its longitudinal angle was about 160°. This moving Type IV burst was observed by STEREO A at frequencies of 5–15 MHz in spite of the low sensitivity of STEREO A. This means that the radio emission directivity of a Type IV burst is rather wide. Assuming the plasma mechanism of Type IV radio emission we derived the plasma density distribution in the CME core at distances of 5.6 Rs and 9.8 Rs (Rs is the solar radius), and its mass to be about 1016 g. It is planned that the minimum perihelion of the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) spacecraft will be at about 9 Rs . So we discuss in what conditions PSP will be in if it crosses a similar CME core.

First Determination of 2D Speed Distribution within the Bodies of Coronal Mass Ejections with Cross-correlation Analysis

Abstract The determination of the speed of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is usually done by tracking brighter features (such as the CME front and core) in visible light (VL) coronagraphic images and by deriving unidimensional profiles of the CME speed as a function of altitude or time. Nevertheless, CMEs are usually characterized by the presence of significant density inhomogeneities propagating outward with different radial and latitudinal projected speeds, resulting in a complex evolution eventually forming the interplanetary CME. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time how coronagraphic image sequences can be analyzed with the cross-correlation technique to derive two-dimensional (2D) maps of the almost instantaneous plasma speed distribution within the body of CMEs. The technique is first tested with the analysis of synthetic data and then applied to real observations. Results from this work allow us to characterize the distribution and time evolution of kinetic energy inside CMEs, as well as the mechanical energy (combined with the kinetic and potential energy) partition between the core and front of the CME. In the future, CMEs will be observed by two channels (VL and UV Lyα) coronagraphs, such as Metis on board ESA Solar Orbiter mission as well as the Lyα Solar Telescope on board the Chinese Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory mission. Our results will help in the analysis of these future observations, helping in particular to take into account the 2D distribution of Lyα Doppler dimming effect.

Magnetically Induced Current Piston for Generating Extreme-ultraviolet Fronts in the Solar Corona

Abstract Single-pulse, globally propagating coronal fronts, called Extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) waves, were first observed in 1995 by the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Telescope and every observed EUV wave since has been associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME). The physical mechanism underlying these waves has been debated for two decades with wave or pseudo-wave theories being advocated. We propose a hybrid model where EUV waves are compressional fronts driven by a reverse electric current layer induced by the time-dependent CME core current. The reverse current layer flows in a direction opposite to the CME core current and is an eddy current layer necessary to maintain magnetic flux conservation above the layer. Repelled by the core current, the reverse current layer accelerates upward so it acts as a piston that drives a compressional perturbation in the coronal regions above. Given a sufficiently fast piston speed, the compressional perturbation becomes a shock that separates from the piston when the piston slows down. Since the model relates the motion of the EUV front to CME properties, the model provides a bound for the core current of an erupting CME. The model is supported and motivated by detailed results from both laboratory experiments and ideal 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations. Overlaps and differences with other models and spacecraft observations are discussed.

Measuring the electron temperatures of coronal mass ejections with future space-based multi-channel coronagraphs: a numerical test

Context. The determination from coronagraphic observations of physical parameters of the plasma embedded in coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is of crucial importance for our understanding of the origin and evolution of these phenomena. Aims. The aim of this work is to perform the first ever numerical simulations of a CME as it will be observed by future two-channel (visible light VL and UV Ly-α) coronagraphs, such as the Metis instrument on-board ESA-Solar Orbiter mission, or any other future coronagraphs with the same spectral band-passes. These simulations are then used to test and optimize the plasma diagnostic techniques to be applied to future observations of CMEs. Methods. The CME diagnostic techniques are tested here by analyzing synthetic coronagraphic observations. First, a numerical three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of a CME is performed, and the plasma parameters in the simulation are used to generate synthetic visible light (VL) and ultraviolet (UV) coronagraphic two-dimensional (2D) images of the eruption (i.e., integrated along the line-of-sight). Second, synthetic data are analyzed with different assumptions (as will be done with real data), to infer the kinematic properties of the CME (such as the extension along the line-of-sight of the emitting region, the expansion speed, and the CME propagation direction), as well as physical parameters of the CME plasma (the plasma electron density and temperature). A comparison between input parameters from the simulation and output parameters from the synthetic data analysis is then performed. Results. The inversion of VL polarized data allows to successfully determine the CME speed and 3D propagation direction (with the polarization ratio technique), as well as to derive information on the extension along the line-of-sight of the emitting plasma, a crucial parameter needed to convert the plasma electron column densities into number densities. These parameters are used to analyze UV Ly-α images and to estimate the CME plasma temperature, also taking into account Doppler dimming effect. Output plasma temperatures are in general underestimated, both in the CME body and core regions. By neglecting the UV Ly-α radiative excitation of H atoms, reliable temperatures can be more easily derived in the CME core (within ∼60%). On the other hand, we show that a determination of temperatures (within ∼20−30%) in the CME body requires 2D maps of CME radial speeds and Doppler dimming coefficients to be derived.

Decameter Type IV Burst Associated with a Behind-the-limb CME Observed on 7 November 2013

We report on the results of observations of a type IV burst by URAN-2 (Ukrainian Radio interferometer of Academy Scienses) in the frequency range 22 - 33 MHz, which is associated with the CME (coronal mass ejection) initiated by a behind-the-limb active region (N05E151). This burst was observed also by the radio telescope NDA (Nancay Decameter Array) in the frequency band 30 - 60 MHz. The purpose of the article is the determination of the source of this type IV burst. After analysis of the observational data obtained with the URAN-2, NDA, STEREO (Solar-Terrestrial Relations Observatory) A and B spacecraft, and SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)spacecraft we come to the conclusion that it is a core of a behind-the-limb CME. We conclude that the radio emission can escape the center of the CME core at a frequency of 60 MHz and originates from the periphery of the core at frequency 30 MHz due to occultation by the solar corona at corresponding frequencies. We find plasma densities in these regions supposing the plasma mechanism of radio emission. We show that the frequency drift of the start of the type IV burst is governed by an expansion of the CME core. Type III bursts, which were observed against this type IV burst, are shown to be generated by fast electrons propagating through the CME core plasma. A type II burst registered at frequencies 44 - 64 MHz and 3 - 16 MHz was radiated by a shock with a velocity of about 1000 km s^{-1} and 800 km s^{-1}, respectively.

Hot prominence detected in the core of a coronal mass ejection

Context. We study the physics of erupting prominences in the core of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and present a continuation of a previous analysis.Aims. We determine the kinetic temperature and microturbulent velocity of an erupting prominence embedded in the core of a CME that occurred on August 2, 2000 using the Ultraviolet Coronagraph and Spectrometer observations (UVCS) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) simultaneously in the hydrogen Lα and C iii lines. We develop the non-LTE (departures from the local thermodynamic equilibrium – LTE) spectral diagnostics based on Lα and Lβ measured integrated intensities to derive other physical quantities of the hot erupting prominence. Based on this, we synthesize the C iii line intensity to compare it with observations.Methods. Our method is based on non-LTE modeling of eruptive prominences. We used a general non-LTE radiative-transfer code only for optically thin prominence points because optically thick points do not allow the direct determination of the kinetic temperature and microturbulence from the line profiles. The input parameters of the code were the kinetic temperature and microturbulent velocity derived from the Lα and C iii line widths, as well as the integrated intensity of the Lα and Lβ lines. The code runs in three loops to compute the radial flow velocity, electron density, and effective thickness as the best fit to the Lα and Lβ integrated intensities within the accuracy defined by the absolute radiometric calibration of UVCS data.Results. We analyzed 39 observational points along the whole erupting prominence because for these points we found a solution for the kinetic temperature and microturbulent velocity. For these points we ran the non-LTE code to determine best-fit models. All models with τ 0 (Lα ) ≤ 0.3 and τ 0 (C iii) ≤ 0.3 were analyzed further, for which we computed the integrated intensity of the C iii line using a two-level atom. The best agreement between computed and observed integrated intensity led to 30 optically thin points along the prominence. The results are presented as histograms of the kinetic temperature, microturbulent velocity, effective thickness, radial flow velocity, electron density, and gas pressure. We also show the relation between the microturbulence and kinetic temperature together with a scatter plot of computed versus observed C iii integrated intensities and the ratio of the computed to observed C iii integrated intensities versus kinetic temperature. Conclusions. The erupting prominence embedded in the CME is relatively hot with a low electron density, a wide range of effective thicknesses, a rather narrow range of radial flow velocities, and a microturbulence of about 25 km s-1 . This analysis shows a disagreement between observed and synthetic intensities of the C iii line, the reason for which most probably is that photoionization is neglected in calculations of the ionization equilibrium. Alternatively, the disagreement might be due to non-equilibrium processes.

CHALLENGING SOME CONTEMPORARY VIEWS OF CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS. II. THE CASE FOR ABSENT FILAMENTS

ABSTRACT When a coronal mass ejection (CME) appears in a coronagraph it often exhibits three parts. This “classic” three-part configuration consists of a bright leading edge, a dark circular- or teardrop-shaped cavity, and a bright core within the cavity. It is generally accepted that these are manifestations of coronal plasma pileup, the driving magnetic flux rope, and the associated eruptive filament, respectively. The latter has become accepted by the community since coronagraph CMEs have been commonly associated with eruptive filaments for over 40 years. In this second part of our series challenging views on CMEs, we present the case that the inner core of the three-part coronagraph CME may not be, and in the most common cases is not, a filament. We present our case in the form of four exhibits showing that most of the CMEs in a broad survey are not associated with an eruptive filament at the Sun, and that the cores of those CMEs that are filament-associated do not geometrically resemble or consist of material from the associated filament. We conclude with a discussion on the possible causes of the bright CME core and what happens to the filament material postlaunch. We discuss how the CME core could arise spontaneously from the eruption of a flux rope from the Sun, or could be the result of a mathematical caustic produced by the geometric projection of a twisted flux rope.

CURRENT SHEET STRUCTURES OBSERVED BY THE TESIS EUV TELESCOPE DURING A FLUX ROPE ERUPTION ON THE SUN

ABSTRACT We use the TESIS EUV telescope to study the current sheet signatures observed during flux rope eruption. The special feature of the TESIS telescope was its ability to image the solar corona up to a distance of 2 from the Sun’s center in the Fe 171 Å line. The Fe 171 Å line emission illuminates the magnetic field lines, and the TESIS images reveal the coronal magnetic structure at high altitudes. The analyzed coronal mass ejection (CME) had a core with a spiral—flux rope—structure. The spiral shape indicates that the flux rope radius varied along its length. The flux rope had a complex temperature structure: cold legs (70,000 K, observed in He 304 Å line) and a hotter core (0.7 MK, observed in Fe 171 Å line). Such a structure contradicts the common assumption that the CME core is a cold prominence. When the CME impulsively accelerated, a dark double Y-structure appeared below the flux rope. The Y-structure timing, location, and morphology agree with the previously performed MHD simulations of the current sheet. We interpreted the Y-structure as a hot envelope of the current sheet and hot reconnection outflows. The Y-structure had a thickness of 6.0 Mm. Its length increased over time from 79 Mm to more than 411 Mm.

LASCO White-Light Observations of Eruptive Current Sheets Trailing CMEs

Many models of eruptive flares or coronal mass ejections (CMEs) involve formation of a current sheet connecting the ejecting CME flux rope with a magnetic loop arcade. However, there is very limited observational information on the properties and evolution of these structures, hindering progress in understanding eruptive activity from the Sun. In white-light images, narrow coaxial rays trailing the outward-moving CME have been interpreted as current sheets. Here, we undertake the most comprehensive statistical study of CME-rays to date. We use SOHO/LASCO data, which have a higher cadence, larger field of view, and better sensitivity than any previous coronagraph. We compare our results to a previous study of Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) CMEs, in 1984 – 1989, having candidate magnetic disconnection features at the CME base, about half of which were followed by coaxial bright rays. We examine all LASCO CMEs during two periods of minimum and maximum activity in Solar Cycle 23, resulting in many more events, \(\sim130\) CME-rays, than during SMM. Important results include: The occurrence rate of the rays is \(\sim11~\%\) of all CMEs during solar minimum, but decreases to \(\sim7~\%\) at solar maximum; this is most likely related to the more complex coronal background. The rays appear on average 3 – 4 hours after the CME core, and are typically visible for three-fourths of a day. The mean observed current sheet length over the ray lifetime is \(\sim12~R_{\odot}\), with the longest current sheet of \(18.5~R_{\odot}\). The mean CS growth rates are \(188~\mbox{km}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}\) at minimum and \(324~\mbox{km}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}\) at maximum. Outward-moving blobs within several rays, which are indicative of reconnection outflows, have average velocities of \(\sim350~\mbox{km}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}\) with small positive accelerations. A pre-existing streamer is blown out in most of the CME-ray events, but half of these are observed to reform within \(\sim1\) day. The long lifetime and long lengths of the CME-rays challenge our current understanding of the evolution of the magnetic field in the aftermath of CMEs.

THE FORMATION AND EARLY EVOLUTION OF A CORONAL MASS EJECTION AND ITS ASSOCIATED SHOCK WAVE ON 2014 JANUARY 8

ABSTRACT In this paper, we study the formation and early evolution of a limb coronal mass ejection (CME) and its associated shock wave that occurred on 2014 January 8. The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images provided by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory disclose that the CME first appears as a bubble-like structure. Subsequently, its expansion forms the CME and causes a quasi-circular EUV wave. Interestingly, both the CME and the wave front are clearly visible at all of the AIA EUV passbands. Through a detailed kinematical analysis, it is found that the expansion of the CME undergoes two phases: a first phase with a strong but transient lateral over-expansion followed by a second phase with a self-similar expansion. The temporal evolution of the expansion velocity coincides very well with the variation of the 25–50 keV hard X-ray flux of the associated flare, which indicates that magnetic reconnection most likely plays an important role in driving the expansion. Moreover, we find that, when the velocity of the CME reaches ∼600 km s−1, the EUV wave starts to evolve into a shock wave, which is evidenced by the appearance of a type II radio burst. The shock’s formation height is estimated to be ∼0.2 R sun, which is much lower than the height derived previously. Finally, we also study the thermal properties of the CME and the EUV wave. We find that the plasma in the CME leading front and the wave front has a temperature of ∼2 MK, while that in the CME core region and the flare region has a much higher temperature of ≥8 MK.

CHALLENGING SOME CONTEMPORARY VIEWS OF CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS. I. THE CASE FOR BLAST WAVES

ABSTRACT Since the closure of the “solar flare myth” debate in the mid-1990s, a specific narrative of the nature of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) has been widely accepted by the solar physics community. This narrative describes structured magnetic flux ropes at the CME core that drive the surrounding field plasma away from the Sun. This narrative replaced the “traditional” view that CMEs were blast waves driven by solar flares. While the flux rope CME narrative is supported by a vast quantity of measurements made over five decades, it does not adequately describe every observation of what have been termed CME-related phenomena. In this paper we present evidence that some large-scale coronal eruptions, particularly those associated with EIT waves, exhibit characteristics that are more consistent with a blast wave originating from a localized region (such as a flare site) rather than a large-scale structure driven by an intrinsic flux rope. We present detailed examples of CMEs that are suspected blast waves and flux ropes, and show that of our small sample of 22 EIT-wave-related CMEs, 91% involve a blast wave as at least part of the eruption, and 50% are probably blast waves exclusively. We conclude with a description of possible signatures to look for in determining the difference between the two types of CMEs and with a discussion on modeling efforts to explore this possibility.

Hot prominence detected in the core of a coronal mass ejection: Analysis of SOHO/UVCS Lαand SOHO/LASCO visible-light observations

Context. The paper deals with the physics of erupting prominences in the core of coronal mass ejections (CME). Aims. We determine the physical parameters of an erupting prominence embedded in the core of a CME using SOHO/UVCS hydrogen L α and L β lines and SOHO/LASCO visible light observations. In particular we analyze the CME event observed on August 2, 2000. We develop the non-LTE (NLTE; i.e. considering departures from the local thermodynamic equilibrium – LTE) spectral diagnostics based on L α and visible light observations. Methods. Our method is based on 1D NLTE modeling of eruptive prominences and takes into account the effect of large flow velocities, which reach up to 300 km s -1 for the studied event (the so-called Doppler dimming). The NLTE radiative-transfer method can be used for both optically thin and thick prominence structures. We combine spectroscopic UVCS observations of an erupting prominence in the core of a CME with visible light images from LASCO-C2 in order to derive the geometrical parameters like projected thickness and velocity, together with the effective temperature and column density of electrons. These are then used to constrain our NLTE radiative transfer modeling which provides the kinetic temperature, microturbulent velocity, gas pressure, ionization degree, the line opacities, and the prominence effective thickness (geometrical filling factor). Results. Analysis was made for 69 observational points (spatial pixels) inside the whole erupting prominence. Roughly one-half of them show a non-negligible L α optical thickness for flow velocity 300 km s -1 and about one-third for flow velocity 150 km s -1 . All pixels with L α τ 0 ≤ 0.3 have been considered for further analysis, which is presented in the form of statistical distributions (histograms) of various physical quantities such as the kinetic temperature, gas pressure, and electron density for two representative flow velocities (150 and 300 km s -1 ) and non-zero microturbulence. For two pixels co-temporal LASCO visible-light data are also available, which further constrains the diagnostics of the electron density and effective thickness. Detailed NLTE modeling is presented for various sets of input parameters. Conclusions. The studied CME event shows that the erupting prominence expands to large volumes, meaning that it is a low-pressure structure with low electron densities and high temperatures. This analysis provides a basis for future diagnostics using the METIS coronagraph on board the Solar Orbiter mission.

Bridging EUV and White-Light Observations to Inspect the Initiation Phase of a “Two-Stage” Solar Eruptive Event

The initiation phase of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is a very important aspect of solar physics, as these phenomena ultimately drive space weather in the heliosphere. This phase is known to occur between the photosphere and low corona, where many models introduce an instability and/or magnetic reconnection that triggers a CME, often with associated flaring activity. To this end, it is important to obtain a variety of observations of the low corona to build as clear a picture as possible of the dynamics that occur therein. Here, we combine the EUV imagery of the Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System Detector and Image Processing (SWAP) instrument onboard the Project for Onboard Autonomy (PROBA2) with the white-light imagery of the ground-based Mark-IV K-coronameter (Mk4) at Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO) to bridge the observational gap that exists between the disk imagery of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the coronal imagery of the Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). Methods of multiscale image analysis were applied to the observations to better reveal the coronal signal while suppressing noise and other features. This allowed an investigation into the initiation phase of a CME that was driven by a rising flux-rope structure from a “two-stage” flaring event underlying an extended helmet streamer. It was found that the initial outward motion of the erupting loop system in the EUV observations coincided with the first X-ray flare peak and led to a plasma pile-up of the white-light CME core material. The characterized CME core then underwent a strong jerk in its motion, as the early acceleration increased abruptly, simultaneously with the second X-ray flare peak. The overall system expanded into the helmet streamer to become the larger CME structure observed in the LASCO coronagraph images, which later became concave-outward in shape. Theoretical models for the event are discussed in light of these unique observations, and it is concluded that the formation of either a kink-unstable or torus-unstable flux rope may be the likeliest scenario.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL STEREOSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF A CORONAL MASS EJECTION AND COMPARISON WITH UV SPECTROSCOPIC DATA

A three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the 2007 May 20 partial-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) has been made using STEREO/EUVI and STEREO/COR1 coronagraphic images. The trajectory and kinematics of the erupting filament have been derived from Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI) image pairs with the "tie-pointing" triangulation technique, while the polarization ratio technique has been applied to COR1 data to determine the average position and depth of the CME front along the line of sight. This 3D geometrical information has been combined for the first time with spectroscopic measurements of the O vi λλ1031.91, 1037.61 line profiles made with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. Comparison between the prominence trajectory extrapolated at the altitude of UVCS observations and the core transit time measured from UVCS data made possible a firm identification of the CME core observed in white light and UV with the prominence plasma expelled during the CME. Results on the 3D structure of the CME front have been used to calculate synthetic spectral profiles of the O vi λ1031.91 line expected along the UVCS slit, in an attempt to reproduce the measured line widths. Observed line widths can be reproduced within the uncertainties only in the peripheral part of the CME front; at the front center, where the distance of the emitting plasma from the plane of the sky is greater, synthetic widths turn out to be ∼25% lower than the measured ones. This provides strong evidence of line broadening due to plasma heating mechanisms in addition to bulk expansion of the emitting volume.

RADIO IMAGING OF A TYPE IVM RADIO BURST ON THE 14TH OF AUGUST 2010

Propagating coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are often accompanied by burst signatures in radio spectrogram data. We present Nancay Radioheliograph observations of a moving source of broadband radio emission, commonly referred to as a type IV radio burst (type IVM), which occurred in association with a CME on the 14th of August 2010. The event was well observed at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths by SDO/AIA and PROBA2/SWAP, and by the STEREO SECCHI and SOHO LASCO white light (WL) coronagraphs. The EUV and WL observations show the type IVM source to be cospatial with the CME core. The observed spectra is well fitted by a power law with a negative slope, which is consistent with optically thin gyrosynchrotron emission. The spectrum shows no turn over at the lowest Nancay frequencies. By comparing simulated gyrosynchrotron spectra with Nancay Radioheliograph observations, and performing a rigorous parameter search we are able to constrain several key parameters of the underlying plasma. Simulated spectra found to fit the data suggest a nonthermal electron distribution with a low energy cutoff of several tens to 100 keV, with a nonthermal electron density in the range 100-102 cm–3, in a magnetic field of a few Gauss. The nonthermal energy content of the source is found to contain 0.001%-0.1% of the sources thermal energy content. Furthermore, the energy loss timescale for this distribution equates to several hours, suggesting that the electrons could be accelerated during the CME initiation or early propagation phase and become trapped in the magnetic structure of the CME core without the need to be replenished.