Using a 3-D spherical plasmoid to interpret the Sun-to-Earth propagation of the 4 November 1997 coronal mass ejection event

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117; no. A1
• Main Authors: Zhou, Y. F., Feng, X. S., Wu, S. T., Du, D., Shen, F., Xiang, C. Q.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2012; American Geophysical Union
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Earth; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic fields; Planetology; SIP-CESE MHD model; Space; spherical plasmoid; Sun; United States; Interplanetary magnetic field; magnetic field; Coronal mass ejection; magnetohydrodynamics; Plasmoid; rotation; global; digital simulation; North America; Plasma density; Sun; high pressure; solar wind; Earth; MHD model; propagation; solution; Wind satellite; Magnetic structure; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2169-9380; 2156-2202; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1029/2010JA016380

We present the time‐dependent propagation of a Sun‐Earth connection event that occurred on 4 November 1997 using a three‐dimensional (3‐D) numerical magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation. A global steady state solar wind for this event is obtained by a 3‐D SIP‐CESE MHD model with Parker's 1‐D solar wind solution and measured photospheric magnetic fields as the initial values. Then, superposed on the quiet background solar wind, a spherical plasmoid is used to mimic the 4 November 1997 coronal mass ejection (CME) event. The CME is assumed to arise from the evolution of a spheromak magnetic structure with high‐speed, high‐pressure, and high‐plasma‐density plasmoid near the Sun. Moreover, the axis of the initial simulated CME is put at S14W34 to conform to the observed location of this flare/CME event. The result has provided us with a relatively satisfactory comparison with the Wind spacecraft observations, such as southward interplanetary magnetic field and large‐scale smooth rotation of the magnetic field associated with the CME. Key Points A global steady state solar wind is obtained by a 3‐D SIP‐CESE MHD model A spherical plasmoid is used to mimic 4 November 1997 CME event A relatively satisfactory comparison with the Wind observations is provided