HR: 1340h
AN: SH33A-1193    [Abstracts]
TI: Modeling Interactions of Coronal Mass Ejections in the Lower Heliosphere
AU: Lugaz, N
EM: nlugaz@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward Streete, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AU: * Manchester, W B
EM: chipm@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward Streete, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AU: Gombosi, T
EM: tamas@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward Streete, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AU: Roussev, I
EM: iroussev@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward Streete, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AB: We present a three-dimensional (3D) numerical ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model of interacting coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The simulations are based on a 3D model of a CME propagating through a bimodal solar wind characteristic of solar minimum. The model of the solar corona contains high-latitude coronal holes and a helmet streamer structure with a current sheet at the solar equator. The CMEs are driven by a 3D Gibson-Low flux rope superimposed onto the steady-state corona. Following the propagation of the first CME, the solar wind is disturbed and the second CME is launched into a less dense heliosphere. Its characteristics are different, and, notably, it shows less deceleration while propagating. Different cases corresponding to different delays between the two CME initiations have been simulated. Each simulation is performed for ten hours after the launch of the second CME. Physics based AMR has been used to capture both ejecta and associated shocks. Physical quantities are derived for each case and compared with the case of an identical CME propagating in the heliosphere without the existence of the previous CME. We have also produced synthetic white-light coronograph images of the CMEs.
DE: 7513 Coronal mass ejections
DE: 7835 Magnetic reconnection
DE: 7839 Nonlinear phenomena
DE: 7843 Numerical simulation studies
DE: 7851 Shock waves
SC: SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics [SH]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting