HR: 0800h
AN: SH32A-0780    [Abstracts]
TI: Three-dimensional Coronal Mass Ejection Structure and Dynamics from Stereoscopic Polarimetric Observations
AU: * Moran, T
EM: moran@esa.nascom.nasa.gov
AF: Catholic University of America, 200 Hannan Hall Physics Dept., Washington NW, DC 20770, United States
AU: * Moran, T
EM: moran@esa.nascom.nasa.gov
AF: NASA/GSFC, Code 612.3, Greenbelt, Md 20771, United States
AB: We present a study of the three-dimensional structure of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from polarimetric observations made by the SOHO/LASCO and STEREO/SECCHI coronagraphs. The polarimetric reconstruction technique alone can provide mean line-of-sight distance from the plane of the sky at multiple positions in CMEs. In the case of filamentary structures this provides accurate three-dimensional positions. We argue that in the later stage of halo CMEs this technique provides accurate reconstruction of the lower portion of the eruption. We also use the polarimetric technique to test the results provided by purely stereoscopic analysis, and use both types of information in combination to infer the maximum structural detail possible, without assuming a CME model. We compare our results with a dynamical, magnetohydrodynamic CME model based on the eruption of a magnetic flux loop arcade. This model solves the equations of motion of multiple high-aspect ratio twisted flux loops, which are driven by diamagnetic, gravitational and drag forces. Forces from adjacent loops result in collective effects which partially determine the CME shape. The model can reproduce total brightness and polarimetric observations of both limb and halo CMEs.
DE: 2101 Coronal mass ejections (7513)
DE: 2111 Ejecta, driver gases, and magnetic clouds
SC: SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics [SH]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting