Potential Field Source Surface Research Articles

Impact of far-side structures observed by Solar Orbiter on coronal and heliospheric wind simulations

Solar Orbiter is a new space observatory that provides unique capabilities to understand the heliosphere. In particular, it has made several observations of the far-side of the Sun and therefore provides unique information that can greatly improve space weather monitoring. In this study, we aim to quantify how the far-side data will affect simulations of the corona and the interplanetary medium, especially in the context of space weather forecasting. To do so, we focused on a time period with a single sunspot emerging on the far-side in February 2021. We used two different input magnetic maps for our models: one that includes the far-side active region and one that does not. We used three different coronal models typical of space weather modeling: a semi-empirical model (potential field source surface or PFSS) and two different magnetohydrodynamic models (Wind Predict and Wind Predict-AW). We compared all the models with both remote sensing and in situ observations in order to quantify the impact of the far-side active region on each solution. We find that the inclusion of the far-side active region in the various models has a small local impact due to the limited amount of flux of the sunspot (at most 8<!PCT!> of the total map flux), which leads, for example, to coronal hole changes of around 7<!PCT!> for all models. Interestingly, there is a more global impact on the magnetic structure seen in the current sheet, with clear changes for example in the coronal hole boundaries visible in extreme ultra-violet (EUV) on the western limb, which is opposite to the active region and the limb most likely to be connected to Earth. For the Wind Predict-AW model, we demonstrate that the inclusion of the far-side data improves both the structure of the streamers and the connectivity to the spacecraft. In conclusion, the inclusion of a single far-side active region may have a small local effect with respect to the total magnetic flux, but it has global effects on the magnetic structure, and thus it must be taken into account to accurately describe the Sun-Earth connection. The flattening of the heliospheric current sheet for all models reveals that it causes an increase of the source surface height, which in return affects the open and closed magnetic field line distributions.

Adjusting the Potential Field Source Surface Height Based on Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations

A potential field solution is widely used to extrapolate the coronal magnetic field above the Sun’s surface to a certain height. This model applies the current-free approximation and assumes that the magnetic field is entirely radial beyond the source surface height, which is defined as the radial distance from the center of the Sun. Even though the source surface is commonly specified at 2.5 R s (solar radii), previous studies have suggested that this value is not optimal in all cases. In this study, we propose a novel approach to specify the source surface height by comparing the areas of the open magnetic field regions from the potential field solution with predictions made by a magnetohydrodynamic model, in our case the Alfvén Wave Solar atmosphere Model. We find that the adjusted source surface height is significantly less than 2.5 R s near solar minimum and slightly larger than 2.5 R s near solar maximum. We also report that the adjusted source surface height can provide a better open flux agreement with the observations near the solar minimum, while the comparison near the solar maximum is slightly worse.

Simulating gamma-ray production from cosmic rays interacting with the solar atmosphere in the presence of coronal magnetic fields* *Supported in China by the NSFC (12261160362, 12022502). KCYN is supported by grants provided by the NSFC (12322517, N_CUHK456/22) and RGC (24302721, 14305822, 14308023)

Cosmic rays can interact with the solar atmosphere and produce a slew of secondary messengers, making the Sun a bright gamma-ray source in the sky. Detailed observations with Fermi-LAT have shown that these interactions must be strongly affected by solar magnetic fields in order to produce a wide range of observational features, such as a high flux and hard spectrum. However, the detailed mechanisms behind these features are still a mystery. In this study, we tackle this problem by performing particle-interaction simulations in the solar atmosphere in the presence of coronal magnetic fields using the potential field source surface (PFSS) model. We find that low-energy (~ GeV) gamma-ray production is significantly enhanced by the coronal magnetic fields, but the enhancement decreases rapidly with energy. The enhancement directly correlates with the production of gamma rays with large deviation angles relative to the input cosmic-ray direction. We conclude that coronal magnetic fields are essential for correctly modeling solar disk gamma rays below 10 GeV, but above that, the effect of coronal magnetic fields diminishes. Other magnetic field structures are needed to explain the high-energy disk emission.

Coronal diagnostics of solar type III radio bursts using LOFAR and PSP observations

Context. Solar type III radio bursts are common phenomena, recognized as the result of accelerated electron beams propagating through the solar corona. These bursts are of particular interest as they provide valuable information about the magnetic field and plasma conditions in the corona, which are difficult to measure directly. Aims. This study aims to investigate the ambiguous source and the underlying physical processes of the type III radio bursts that occurred on April 3, 2019, through the utilization of multi-wavelength observations from the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope and the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) space mission, as well as incorporating results from a Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models. The primary goal is to identify the spatial and temporal characteristics of the radio sources, as well as the plasma conditions along their trajectories. Methods. We applied data preprocessing techniques to combine high- and low-frequency observations from LOFAR and PSP between 2.6 kHz and 80 MHz. We then extracted information on the frequency drift and speed of the accelerated electron beams from the dynamic spectra. Additionally, we used LOFAR interferometric observations to image the sources of the radio emission at multiple frequencies and determine their locations and kinematics in the corona. Lastly, we analyzed the plasma parameters and magnetic field along the trajectories of the radio sources using PFSS and MHD model results. Results. We present several notable findings related to type III radio bursts. Firstly, through our automated implementation, we were able to effectively identify and characterize 9 type III radio bursts in the LOFAR-PSP combined dynamic spectrum and 16 type III bursts in the LOFAR dynamic spectrum. We found that the frequency drift for the detected type III bursts in the combined spectrum ranges between 0.24 and 4 MHz s−1, while the speeds of the electron beams range between 0.013 and 0.12 C. Secondly, our imaging observations show that the electrons responsible for these bursts originate from the same source and within a short time frame of fewer than 30 min. Finally, our analysis provides informative insights into the physical conditions along the path of the electron beams. For instance, we found that the plasma density obtained from the magnetohydrodynamic algorithm outside a sphere (MAS) model is significantly lower than the expected theoretical density.

Time-dependent Dynamics of the Corona

We present in this Letter the first global comparison between traditional line-tied steady-state magnetohydrodynamic models and a new, fully time-dependent thermodynamic magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the global corona. To approximate surface magnetic field distributions and magnitudes around solar minimum, we use the Lockheed Evolving Surface-Flux Assimilation Model to obtain input maps that incorporate flux emergence and surface flows over a full solar rotation, including differential rotation and meridional flows. Each time step evolves the previous state of the plasma with a new magnetic field input boundary condition, mimicking photospheric driving on the Sun. We find that this method produces a qualitatively different corona compared to steady-state models. The magnetic energy levels are higher in the time-dependent model, and coronal holes evolve more along the following edge than they do in steady-state models. Coronal changes, as illustrated with forward-modeled emission maps, evolve on longer timescales with time-dependent driving. We discuss implications for active and quiet Sun scenarios, solar wind formation, and widely used steady-state assumptions like potential field source surface calculations.

Data-constrained Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of an Intermediate Solar Filament Eruption

Solar eruptive activities could occur in weak magnetic field environments and over large spatial scales, which are especially relevant to eruptions involving intermediate or quiescent solar filaments. To handle the large scales, we implement and apply a flux rope embedding method using regularized Biot–Savart laws in the spherical coordinate system. Combined with a potential field source surface model and a magneto-frictional method, a nonlinear force-free field comprising a flux rope embedded in a potential field is constructed. Using the combined nonlinear force-free field as the initial condition, we then perform a zero-β data-constrained magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation for an M8.7 flare at 03:38 UT on 2012 January 23. The MHD model reproduces the eruption process, flare ribbon evolution (represented by the quasi-separatrix layer evolution), and kinematics of the flux rope. This approach could potentially model global-scale eruptions from weak field regions.

Solar flares and active regions in the Hale sector boundary in Solar Cycle 24

ABSTRACT Solar eruptions, such as flares and coronal mass ejections, have serious impacts on the Earth’s environment and human activity. Predicting the eruptions and therefore avoiding their damages is a main goal in the research community. Heliospheric current sheet (HCS), the boundary dividing the positive and negative magnetic fields that open up to the interplanetary space, is believed to be related with solar eruptions. The HCS consists of two types of boundaries: the Hale boundary and the non-Hale boundary, and the former is suggested in previous studies to be the region producing most of the solar flares. In this work, we explore relationships between Hale boundary, flares, and property of active regions (ARs). The HCS is determined from the magnetic field in the heliosphere calculated from the observed photospheric magnetic field using a potential field source surface model. We have analysed 8075 flares of C-class and above and 1652 ARs in the period from May 2010 to May 2019 in Solar Cycle 24. The following results are obtained: (1) 5957 flares ($74\pm 1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) and 1212 ARs ($73\pm 2~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) are in the HCS; (2) among them, 70 per cent ($\pm 1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) flares and 57 per cent ($\pm 3~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) ARs are in the Hale boundary; and (3) big ARs tend to emerge in the Hale boundary. We conclude that the HCS is related tightly to solar activity, and the Hale boundary is a region favoured to produce flares and to host large ARs.

Bayesian Inference and Global Sensitivity Analysis for Ambient Solar Wind Prediction

AbstractThe ambient solar wind plays a significant role in propagating interplanetary coronal mass ejections and is an important driver of space weather geomagnetic storms. A computationally efficient and widely used method to predict the ambient solar wind radial velocity near Earth involves coupling three models: Potential Field Source Surface, Wang‐Sheeley‐Arge (WSA), and Heliospheric Upwind eXtrapolation. However, the model chain has 11 uncertain parameters that are mainly non‐physical due to empirical relations and simplified physics assumptions. We, therefore, propose a comprehensive uncertainty quantification (UQ) framework that is able to successfully quantify and reduce parametric uncertainties in the model chain. The UQ framework utilizes variance‐based global sensitivity analysis followed by Bayesian inference via Markov chain Monte Carlo to learn the posterior densities of the most influential parameters. The sensitivity analysis results indicate that the five most influential parameters are all WSA parameters. Additionally, we show that the posterior densities of such influential parameters vary greatly from one Carrington rotation to the next. The influential parameters are trying to overcompensate for the missing physics in the model chain, highlighting the need to enhance the robustness of the model chain to the choice of WSA parameters. The ensemble predictions generated from the learned posterior densities significantly reduce the uncertainty in solar wind velocity predictions near Earth.

Near-Sun In Situ and Remote-sensing Observations of a Coronal Mass Ejection and its Effect on the Heliospheric Current Sheet

During the thirteenth encounter of the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) mission, the spacecraft traveled through a topologically complex interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) beginning on 2022 September 5. PSP traversed through the flank and wake of the ICME while observing the event for nearly two days. The Solar Probe ANalyzer and FIELDS instruments collected in situ measurements of the plasma particles and magnetic field at ∼13.3 R S from the Sun. We observe classical ICME signatures, such as a fast-forward shock, bidirectional electrons, low proton temperatures, low plasma β, and high alpha particle to proton number density ratios. In addition, PSP traveled through two magnetic inversion lines, a magnetic reconnection exhaust, and multiple sub-Alfvénic regions. We compare these in situ measurements to remote-sensing observations from the Wide-field Imager for Solar PRobe Plus instrument on board PSP and the Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation on the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. Based on white-light coronagraphs, two CMEs are forward modeled to best fit the extent of the event. Furthermore, Air Force Data Assimilative Flux Transport magnetograms modeled from Global Oscillation Network Group magnetograms and Potential Field Source Surface modeling portray a global reconfiguration of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) after the CME event, suggesting that these eruptions play a significant role in the evolution of the HCS.

Three-dimensional inversion of corona structure and simulation of solar wind parameters based on the photospheric magnetic field deduced from the Global Oscillation Network Group

In this research, the Potential Field Source Surface–Wang–Sheeley–Arge (PFSS–WSA) solar wind model is used. This model consists of the Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) coronal magnetic field extrapolation module and the Wang–Sheeley–Arge (WSA) solar wind velocity module. PFSS is implemented by the POT3D package deployed on Tianhe 1A supercomputer system. In order to obtain the three–dimensional (3D) distribution of the coronal magnetic field at different source surface radii (Rss), the model utilizes the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) photospheric magnetic field profiles for two Carrington rotations (CRs), CR2069 (in 2008) and CR2217 (in 2019), as the input data, with the source surface at Rss = 2Rs, Rss = 2.5Rs and Rss = 3Rs, respectively. Then the solar wind velocity, the coronal magnetic field expansion factor, and the minimum angular distance of the open magnetic field lines from the coronal hole boundary are estimated within the WSA module. The simulated solar wind speed is compared with the value for the corona extrapolated from the data observed near 1 AU, through the calculations of the mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (CC). Here we extrapolate the solar wind velocity at 1 AU back to the source surface via the Parker spiral. By comparing the evaluation metrics of the three source surface heights, we concluded that the solar source surface should be properly decreased with respect to Rss = 2.5Rs during the low solar activity phase of solar cycle 23.

Examining the Source Regions of Solar Energetic Particles Using an AI-generated Synchronic Potential Field Source Surface Model

We study the source regions of six solar energetic particle (SEP) events accelerated near or behind the limbs of the Sun. We use AI-generated farside magnetograms at a near real-time basis developed by Jeong et al. and AIHMI-PFSS extrapolations up to 2.5R ⊙ computed using the input of the synchronic data combining AI-generated farside and HMI magnetograms. By comparing the AIHMI, HMI, Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) synoptic magnetograms, and Air force Data Assimilative Photospheric flux Transport synchronic magnetograms, as well as the PFSS extrapolations, we find interesting differences between them in view of SEP source regions and magnetic field configurations. First, the structures and sizes of the source active regions (ARs) are changed. The total unsigned magnetic field fluxes of the ARs are mostly stronger in the AIHMI than in the HMI and GONG magnetograms. Second, newly emerging ARs are observed in the SEP source regions in the AIHMI magnetograms for two events. Third, the alterations in the magnetic flux, the emergence, and the dissipation of ARs lead to modifications in the locations of the global polarity inversion lines (PILs). The EUV wave propagation is typically observed to be oriented nearly perpendicular with respect to the local PIL, suggesting that the AIHMI-PFSS extrapolations around the source region are more realistic. This study shows that the continuous farside evolution of AR magnetic fields, which is accomplished by our AI synchronic magnetograms, can lead to an improved understanding of SEP source ARs.

A high-latitude coronal mass ejection observed by a constellation of coronagraphs: Solar Orbiter/Metis, STEREO-A/COR2, and SOHO/LASCO

Context. A few days before the first perihelion of the Solar Orbiter nominal mission, which occurred on 2022 March 26, the Metis coronagraph on board Solar Orbiter detected a coronal mass ejection (CME) that was moving away from the far side of the Sun (with respect to Solar Orbiter) at high northern latitudes. The eruption was also seen by other spacecraft, in particular, by STEREO-A, which was in quadrature configuration with Solar Orbiter. Aims. We analyse the different views of the CME by a constellation of spacecraft with the purpose to determine the speed and acceleration of the CME, and to identify the source region of the CME. Methods. Considering the positions of various spacecraft on 2022 March 22, this CME happened to be within the field of view of STEREO-A/SECCHI, and it was visible over the limb from SOHO/LASCO. We present the results of the 3D reconstruction of the CME based on the graduated cylindrical shell model and of the identification of the possible origin of the CME using extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) observations by Solar Orbiter/EUI, STEREO-A/EUVI, and SDO/AIA. The observations in EUV are compared with the coronal magnetic structure obtained by the potential field source surface method. Results. The 3D reconstruction of the CME derives a central latitude of 29° N, a Stonyhurst longitude of −125°, and an average radial speed at the apex of 322 ± 33 km s−1 between 4 and 13 R⊙, which is probably not high enough to generate a shock wave. The estimated average acceleration of the CME is 16 ± 11 m s−2 in the same range of distances from the Sun. This CME may be associated with the disappearance of a coronal cloud prominence, which is seen in the EUV by STEREO-A/EUVI and SDO/AIA, and is also associated with rapidly evolving emerging magnetic flux.

Long-term forcing of the Sun’s coronal field, open flux, and cosmic ray modulation potential during grand minima, maxima, and regular activity phases by the solar dynamo mechanism

ABSTRACT Magnetic fields generated in the Sun’s interior by the dynamo mechanism drive solar activity over a range of time-scales. Direct sunspot observations exist for a few centuries; reconstructed variations based on cosmogenic isotopes in the solar open flux and cosmic ray flux exist over thousands of years. While such reconstructions indicate the presence of extreme solar activity fluctuations in the past, causal links between millennia scale dynamo activity, consequent coronal field, solar wind, open flux and cosmic ray flux variations remain elusive; a lack of coronal field observations compounds this issue. By utilizing a stochastically forced solar dynamo model and potential field source surface extrapolation, we perform long-term simulations to illuminate how dynamo generated magnetic fields govern the structure of the solar corona and the state of the heliosphere – as indicated by variations in the open flux and cosmic ray modulation potential. We establish differences in the nature of the large-scale structuring of the solar corona during grand maximum, minimum, and regular solar activity phases and simulate how the open flux and cosmic ray modulation potential vary across these different phases of activity. We demonstrate that the power spectrum of simulated and observationally reconstructed solar open flux time series are consistent with each other. Our study provides the theoretical foundation for interpreting long-term solar cycle variations inferred from cosmogenic isotope based reconstructions and establishes causality between solar internal variations to the forcing of the state of the heliosphere.

Which Component of Solar Magnetic Field Drives the Evolution of Interplanetary Magnetic Field over the Solar Cycle?

The solar magnetic structure changes over the solar cycle. It has a dipole structure during solar minimum, where the open flux extends mainly from the polar regions into the interplanetary space. During maximum, a complex structure is formed with low-latitude active regions and weakened polar fields, resulting in spread open field regions. However, the components of the solar magnetic field that are responsible for long-term variations in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) are not clear, and the IMF strength estimated based on the solar magnetic field is known to be underestimated by a factor of 3–4 against the actual in situ observations (the open flux problem). To this end, we decomposed the coronal magnetic field into the components of the spherical harmonic function of degree and order (ℓ, m) using the potential field source surface model with synoptic maps from SDO/HMI for 2010–2021. As a result, we found that the IMF rapidly increased in 2014 December (7 months after the solar maximum), which coincided with the increase in the equatorial dipole, (ℓ, m) = (1, ±1), corresponding to the diffusion of active regions toward the poles and in the longitudinal direction. The IMF gradually decreased until 2019 December (solar minimum) and its variation corresponded to that of the nondipole component ℓ ≥ 2. Our results suggest that the understanding of the open flux problem may be improved by focusing on the equatorial dipole and the nondipole component and that the influence of the polar magnetic field is less significant.

The 17 April 2021 widespread solar energetic particle event

Context.A complex and long-lasting solar eruption on 17 April 2021 produced a widespread solar energetic particle (SEP) event that was observed by five longitudinally well-separated observers in the inner heliosphere that covered distances to the Sun from 0.42 to 1 au: BepiColombo, Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, STEREO A, and near-Earth spacecraft. The event was the second widespread SEP event detected in solar cycle 25, and it produced relativistic electrons and protons. It was associated with a long-lasting solar hard X-ray flare that showed multiple hard X-ray peaks over a duration of one hour. The event was further accompanied by a medium-fast coronal mass ejection (CME) with a speed of 880 km s−1that drove a shock, an extreme ultraviolet wave, and long-lasting and complex radio burst activity that showed four distinct type III burst groups over a period of 40 min.Aims.We aim to understand the reason for the wide spread of elevated SEP intensities in the inner heliosphere as well as identify the underlying source regions of the observed energetic electrons and protons.Methods.We applied a comprehensive multi-spacecraft analysis of remote-sensing observations and in situ measurements of the energetic particles and interplanetary context to attribute the SEP observations at the different locations to the various potential source regions at the Sun. We used an ENLIL simulation to characterize the complex interplanetary state and its role in the energetic particle transport. The magnetic connection between each spacecraft and the Sun was determined using ballistic backmapping in combination with potential field source surface extrapolations in the lower corona. Using also a reconstruction of the coronal shock front, we then determined the times when the shock establishes magnetic connections with the different observers. Radio observations were used to characterize the directivity of the four main injection episodes, which were then employed in a 2D SEP transport simulation to test the importance of these different injection episodes.Results.A comprehensive timing analysis of the inferred solar injection times of the SEPs observed at each spacecraft suggests different source processes being important for the electron and proton events. Comparison among the characteristics and timing of the potential particle sources, such as the CME-driven shock or the flare, suggests a stronger shock contribution for the proton event and a more likely flare-related source for the electron event.Conclusions.In contrast to earlier studies on widespread SEP events, we find that in this event an important ingredient for the wide SEP spread was the wide longitudinal range of about 110° covered by distinct SEP injections, which is also supported by our SEP transport modeling.

Observational Evidence of S-web Source of the Slow Solar Wind

From 2022 March 18 to 21, NOAA Active Region (AR) 12967 was tracked simultaneously by Solar Orbiter at 0.35 au and Hinode/EIS at Earth. During this period, strong blueshifted plasma upflows were observed along a thin, dark corridor of open magnetic field originating at the AR’s leading polarity and continuing toward the southern extension of the northern polar coronal hole. A potential field source surface model shows large lateral expansion of the open magnetic field along the corridor. Squashing factor Q-maps of the large-scale topology further confirm super-radial expansion in support of the S-web theory for the slow wind. The thin corridor of upflows is identified as the source region of a slow solar wind stream characterized by ∼300 km s−1 velocities, low proton temperatures of ∼5 eV, extremely high density >100 cm−3, and a short interval of moderate Alfvénicity accompanied by switchback events. When the connectivity changes from the corridor to the eastern side of the AR, the in situ plasma parameters of the slow solar wind indicate a distinctly different source region. These observations provide strong evidence that the narrow open-field corridors, forming part of the S-web, produce some extreme properties in their associated solar wind streams.

Accounting for differential rotation in calculations of the Sun’s angular momentum-loss rate

Context. Sun-like stars shed angular momentum due to the presence of magnetised stellar winds. Magnetohydrodynamic models have been successful in exploring the dependence of this ‘wind-braking torque’ on various stellar properties; however the influence of surface differential rotation is largely unexplored. As the wind-braking torque depends on the rotation rate of the escaping wind, the inclusion of differential rotation should effectively modulate the angular momentum-loss rate based on the latitudinal variation of wind source regions. Aims. Here we aim to quantify the influence of surface differential rotation on the angular momentum-loss rate of the Sun, in comparison to the typical assumption of solid-body rotation. Methods. To do this, we exploited the dependence of the wind-braking torque on the effective rotation rate of the coronal magnetic field, which is known to be vitally important in magnetohydrodynamic models. This quantity has been evaluated by tracing field lines through a potential field source surface (PFSS) model, driven by ADAPT-GONG magnetograms. The surface rotation rates of the open magnetic field lines were then used to construct an open-flux weighted rotation rate, from which the influence on the wind-braking torque could be estimated. Results. During solar minima, the rotation rate of the corona decreases with respect to the typical solid-body rate (the Carrington rotation period is 25.4 days), as the sources of the solar wind are confined towards the slowly rotating poles. With increasing activity, more solar wind emerges from the Sun’s active latitudes which enforces a Carrington-like rotation. Coronal rotation often displays a north-south asymmetry driven by differences in active region emergence rates (and consequently latitudinal connectivity) in each hemisphere. Conclusions. The effect of differential rotation on the Sun’s current wind-braking torque is limited. The solar wind-braking torque is ∼10 − 15% lower during solar minimum, (compared with the typical solid body rate), and a few percent larger during solar maximum (as some field lines connect to more rapidly rotating equatorial latitudes). For more rapidly rotating Sun-like stars, differential rotation may play a more significant role, depending on the configuration of the large-scale magnetic field.

Modeling CME encounters at Parker Solar Probe with OSPREI: Dependence on photospheric and coronal conditions

Context.Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are eruptions of plasma from the Sun that travel through interplanetary space and may encounter Earth. CMEs often enclose a magnetic flux rope (MFR), the orientation of which largely determines the CMEs’ geoeffectiveness. Current operational CME models do not model MFRs, but a number of research ones do, including the Open Solar Physics Rapid Ensemble Information (OSPREI) model.Aims.We report the sensitivity of OSPREI to a range of user-selected photospheric and coronal conditions.Methods.We modeled four separate CMEs observed in situ by Parker Solar Probe (PSP). We varied the input photospheric conditions using four input magnetograms (HMI Synchronic, HMI Synoptic, GONG Synoptic Zero-Point Corrected, and GONG ADAPT). To vary the coronal field reconstruction, we employed the Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model and varied its source-surface height in the range 1.5–3.0R⊙with 0.1R⊙increments.Results.We find that both the input magnetogram and PFSS source surface often affect the evolution of the CME as it propagates through the Sun’s corona into interplanetary space, and therefore the accuracy of the MFR prediction compared to in situ data at PSP. There is no obvious best combination of input magnetogram and PFSS source surface height.Conclusions.The OSPREI model is moderately sensitive to the input photospheric and coronal conditions. Based on where the source region of the CME is located on the Sun, there may be best practices when selecting an input magnetogram to use.

Radio Measurements of Coronal Magnetic Fields in Fan-Spine Configurations on the Sun

Abstract Recent interest of solar physicists in the analysis of the coronal mass ejections and circular solar flares in fan-spine magnetic configurations (FSCs) necessitates measurements of the corresponding coronal magnetic fields. A dominant sunspot with the circumjacent magnetic flux of opposite polarity produces a specific coronal region of the quasi-transverse (QT-) propagation of microwaves. We make use of the theory of QT-propagation to evaluate the strengths of coronal magnetic fields in the active regions NOAA 11579, 12242, and 12488 while they are non-flaring. Microwave polarization changes were observed with the RATAN-600 radio telescope, the Siberian Solar Radio Telescope, and the Nobeyama Radioheliograph. Changes in the sign of circular radio polarization provide the strengths of coronal fields in a QT-region if the coronal plasma density N e and the length scale of magnetic field divergence L d are known. We evaluate the length scale by means of the potential-field source-surface (PFSS) model and the coronal density from the Gaussian inversion of the differential emission measure (from the Solar Dynamics Observatory observational data), obtaining N e L d = (0.46–0.64)×1010 m−2. The resulting coronal fields of 1.4×10−3 T and 2.34×10−3 T are attributed to the heights of 100 Mm and 50.2 Mm. We discuss the validity and consistency of the involved values to draw conclusions on the feasibility of coronal radio magnetography of FSCs.

Solar-MACH: An open-source tool to analyze solar magnetic connection configurations

The Solar MAgnetic Connection HAUS1 tool (Solar-MACH) is an open-source tool completely written in Python that derives and visualizes the spatial configuration and solar magnetic connection of different observers (i.e., spacecraft or planets) in the heliosphere at different times. For doing this, the magnetic connection in the interplanetary space is obtained by the classic Parker Heliospheric Magnetic Field (HMF). In close vicinity of the Sun, a Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model can be applied to connect the HMF to the solar photosphere. Solar-MACH is especially aimed at providing publication-ready figures for the analyses of Solar Energetic Particle events (SEPs) or solar transients such as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). It is provided as an installable Python package (listed on PyPI and conda-forge), but also as a web tool at solar-mach.github.io that completely runs in any web browser and requires neither Python knowledge nor installation. The development of Solar-MACH is open to everyone and takes place on GitHub, where the source code is publicly available under the BSD 3-Clause License. Established Python libraries like sunpy and pfsspy are utilized to obtain functionalities when possible. In this article, the Python code of Solar-MACH is explained, and its functionality is demonstrated using real science examples. In addition, we introduce the overarching SERPENTINE project, the umbrella under which the recent development took place.