Three-Dimensional Properties of Coronal Mass Ejections from STEREO/SECCHI Observations
Abstract
We identify 565 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) between January 2007 and December 2010 in observations from the twin STEREO/SECCHI/COR2 coronagraphs aboard the STEREO mission. Our list is in full agreement with the corresponding SOHO/LASCO CME Catalog (http://cdaw.gsfc.nasa.gov/CME_list/) for events with angular widths of 45 deg and up. The monthly event rates behave similarly to sunspot rates showing a three- to fourfold rise between September 2009 and March 2010. We select 51 events with well-defined white-light structure and model them as three-dimensional (3D) flux ropes using a forwardmodeling technique developed by Thernisien, Howard and Vourlidas (Astrophys. J. 652, 763 - 773, 2006). We derive their 3D properties and identify their source regions. We find that the majority of the CME flux ropes (82%) lie within 30 deg of the solar equator. Also 82% of the events are displaced from their source region, to a lower latitude, by 25 deg or less. These findings provide strong support for the deflection of CMEs towards the solar equator reported in earlier observation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA569475
Entities
People
- Angelos Vourlidas
- E. Bosman
- G. Nistico
- J. A. Davies
- R. A. Howard
- V. Bothmer
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory