Magnetic flux rope ejection: observation at 304Å and comparison with recent models

Abstract

With one example of a coronal mass ejection observed with SOHO//EIT and LASCO we demonstrate the main characteristic of this kind of event: its flux rope nature. These events are commonly responsible for magnetic clouds approaching the Earth. Near the solar surface, the different structures expected during the ejection of a flux rope are observed: post flare loops located under the flux rope, a prominence lying at its lower part, a coronal void located at its upper part. Two additional structures are observed in coronal emission: a bright loop possibly located at the leading edge of the flux rope and a bright front located near the equator and moving along the solar limb. These structures may correspond to the compression of material while the flux rope expands. Finally, the deviation of these structures toward the equator is observed, providing the possible explanation of the discrepancy of the location of the activity in the low corona and in the high corona during the minimum of solar cycle activity.