Development and Parameters of a Non-Self-Similar CME Caused by the Eruption of a Quiescent Prominence

• Published in: Solar physics Vol. 292; no. 10; p. 1
• Main Authors: Kuzmenko, I. V., Grechnev, V. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aerodynamic drag; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Atmospheric Sciences; Coronal mass ejection; Drag; Kinematics; Observatories; Parameter estimation; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Planet formation; Planetary cores; Prominences; Quiet Sun; Self-similarity; SOHO Mission; Solar activity; Solar corona; Solar flares; Solar observatories; Solar physics; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Coronal mass ejections; Prominences; Radio bursts, microwave (mm, cm)
• ISSN: 0038-0938; 1573-093X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11207-017-1167-3

The eruption of a large quiescent prominence on 17 August 2013 and an associated coronal mass ejection (CME) were observed from different vantage points by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), the Solar-Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), and the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). Screening of the quiet Sun by the prominence produced an isolated negative microwave burst. We estimated the parameters of the erupting prominence from a radio absorption model and measured them from 304 Å images. The variations of the parameters as obtained by these two methods are similar and agree within a factor of two. The CME development was studied from the kinematics of the front and different components of the core and their structural changes. The results were verified using movies in which the CME expansion was compensated for according to the measured kinematics. We found that the CME mass ( 3.6 × 10 15  g ) was mainly supplied by the prominence ( ≈ 6 × 10 15  g ), while a considerable part drained back. The mass of the coronal-temperature component did not exceed 10 15  g . The CME was initiated by the erupting prominence, which constituted its core and remained active. The structural and kinematical changes started in the core and propagated outward. The CME structures continued to form during expansion, which did not become self-similar up to 25 R ⊙ . The aerodynamic drag was insignificant. The core formed during the CME rise to 4 R ⊙ and possibly beyond. Some of its components were observed to straighten and stretch outward, indicating the transformation of tangled structures of the core into a simpler flux rope, which grew and filled the cavity as the CME expanded.