Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000aps..dppji2004c&link_type=abstract
American Physical Society, 42nd Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics combined with the 10th International Congre
Physics
Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
The prevailing framework for understanding coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar eruptions in general is the hypothesis that magnetic energy is quasi-statically built up in the corona by the ``slow'' motion of the magnetic footpoints in the photosphere. The stored energy is then rapidly released in the corona. However, this four-decade old hypothesis, which may be called the ``storage-release'' paradigm, has yet to explain the CME and solar flare phenomena. In this paper, a new quantitative theory of CMEs is discussed. Unlike the storage-release paradigm, the theory is based on the hypothesis that the magnetic energy is directly injected into the coronal flux ropes from the convection zone. Recent space missions have brought back a wealth of solar and in situ solar wind data (SW) out to 5 AU, providing stringent constraints on theoretical models. The predictions of the new theory have been compared with CMEs observed by the LASCO instruments on board the SOHO satellite. The agreement is found to be good throughout the 32-solar radius field of view. Furthermore, the prediction of the SW consequences is compared with in situ SW data from the WIND and ULYSSES satellites. It is found that the initial-value solutions of the model reproduce a class of observed SW plasma structures called ``magnetic clouds'' that are observed in close association with CMEs. The model provides the first unified and quantitative description of the CME dynamics throughout the heliosphere. The apparent success of the theory suggests a new paradigm in which solar eruptions are viewed as dynamic Alfvenic relaxation process in response to the magnetic energy from the solar dynamo rather than release of energy quasi-statically built up and stored in the corona. Testable signatures of the theory are proposed.
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