Author ORCID Identifier
James McAteer:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1493-101X
Peter Gallagher:
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9745-0400
Eoin Carley:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6106-5292
Document Type
Journal Article
Journal Article Version
Final Version / Publisher's PDF (peer-reviewed)
Publication Date
6-10-2012
Abstract
Understanding coronal mass ejection (CME) energetics and dynamics has been a long-standing problem, and although previous observational estimates have been made, such studies have been hindered by large uncertainties in CME mass. Here, the two vantage points of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) COR1 and COR2 coronagraphs were used to accurately estimate the mass of the 2008 December 12 CME. Acceleration estimates derived from the position of the CME front in three dimensions were combined with the mass estimates to calculate the magnitude of the kinetic energy and driving force at different stages of the CME evolution. The CME asymptotically approaches a mass of 3.4 +/- 1.0x10(15) g beyond similar to 10 R-circle dot. The kinetic energy shows an initial rise toward 6.3 +/- 3.7 x 10(29) erg at similar to 3 R-circle dot, beyond which it rises steadily to 4.2 +/- 2.5 x 10(30) erg at similar to 18R(circle dot). The dynamics are described by an early phase of strong acceleration, dominated by a force of peak magnitude of 3.4 +/- 2.2 x 10(14) N at similar to 3 R-circle dot, after which a force of 3.8 +/- 5.4 x 10(13) N takes effect between similar to 7 and 18 R-circle dot. These results are consistent with magnetic (Lorentz) forces acting at heliocentric distances of less than or similar to 7 R-circle dot, while solar wind drag forces dominate at larger distances (greater than or similar to 7 R-circle dot).
Published in
Astrophysical Journal
DOI
10.1088/0004-637X/752/1/36
Keywords
Sun: corona, Sun: coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
Department / Organizational Unit
Astronomy
Copyright Notice
© 2012 E. Carley, R. McAteer, & P. Gallagher, reuse allowed according to Creative Commons license.
License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Carley, E. P., McAteer, R. T. J., & Gallagher, P. T. (2012). Coronal mass ejection mass, energy, and force estimates using STEREO. Astrophysical Journal, 752(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/752/1/36