Search Publications
Interplanetary coronal mass ejections in the near-Earth solar wind during 1996-2002
Cane, H. V.; Richardson, I. G.
We summarize the occurrence of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) in the near-Earth solar wind during 1996-2002, corresponding to the increasing and maximum phases of solar cycle 23. In particular, we give a detailed list of such events. This list, based on in situ observations, is not confined to subsets of ICMEs, such as "magnetic clo…
Acceleration of the solar wind as a result of the reconnection of open magnetic flux with coronal loops
Fisk, L. A.
There are compelling observations of a clear anticorrelation between solar wind flow speed and coronal electron temperature, as determined from solar wind ionic charge states. A simple theory is presented which can account for these observations, including the functional form of the correlation: Solar wind flow speed squared varies essentially lin…
Energetic particle acceleration and transport at coronal mass ejection-driven shocks
Li, Gang; Zank, G. P.; Rice, W. K. M.
Evidence now exists which suggests that in large solar energetic particle (SEP) events, particles are often accelerated to ∼ MeV energies (and perhaps up to GeV energies) at shock waves driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These energetic particles are of considerable importance to space weather studies since they serve as a precursor signal f…
Multiple magnetic clouds: Several examples during March-April 2001
Wang, S.; Wang, Y. M.; Ye, P. Z.
Multiple magnetic cloud (Multi-MC), which is formed by the overtaking of successive coronal mass ejections (CMEs), is a kind of complex structure in interplanetary space. Multi-MC is worthy of notice due to its special properties and potential geoeffectiveness. Using the data from the ACE spacecraft, we identify the three cases of Multi-MC in the …
Internal structure of magnetic clouds: Plasma and composition
Lynch, B. J.; Antiochos, S. K.; Zurbuchen, T. H. +1 more
A comprehensive analysis of magnetic clouds observed by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft from February 1998 to July 2001 is presented. The magnetic field data from the MAG instrument is fit with the cylindrically symmetric, linear force-free model and the fit parameter distributions are examined. This magnetic field model enables…
Forecasting solar wind structures and shock arrival times using an ensemble of models
Dryer, M.; Smith, Z.; Fry, C. D. +3 more
Forecasting the time of arrival at Earth of interplanetary shocks following solar metric type II activity is an important first step in the establishment of an operational space weather prediction system. The quality of the forecasts is of utmost importance. The performances of the shock time of arrival (STOA) and interplanetary shock propagation …
Acceleration of coronal mass ejections
Chen, James; Krall, Jonathan
The acceleration of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is examined focusing on three specific questions raised by observations: (1) what determines the height beyond which a CME exhibits no rapid acceleration, (2) why is the main acceleration of CMEs typically limited to below 2-3 solar radii, and (3) are distinct mechanisms required to explain the app…
Source regions and storm effectiveness of frontside full halo coronal mass ejections
Webb, D. F.; Zhao, X. P.
Full halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupting from the side of the Sun facing Earth, i.e., frontside full halo CMEs, are considered to be a likely cause of major, transient geomagnetic storms. However, this hypothesis has not been tested over a full solar cycle. We compare all frontside full halo CMEs observed during the first half of solar cyc…
Using an MHD simulation to interpret the global context of a coronal mass ejection observed by two spacecraft
Lario, D.; Odstrcil, D.; Riley, Pete +4 more
In late February 1999 the ACE spacecraft observed a coronal mass ejection (CME) at 1 AU, in the ecliptic plane. Thirteen days later, Ulysses observed a CME at 5 AU and 22°S. We present a detailed analysis of the plasma, magnetic field, and composition signatures of these two events. On the basis of this comparison alone, it is not clear that the t…
Observational evidence of new current sheets trailing coronal mass ejections
Webb, D. F.; Riley, P.; Burkepile, J. +1 more
Field line reconnection in the wake of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is a fundamental aspect of some magnetically driven eruptive flare/CME models, e.g., the standard reconnection model [cf. Svestka and Cliver, 1992]. This model features a growing hot loop arcade beneath a rising X-type neutral point that is connected to the retreating CME. In mod…