Modeling Active Region Coronal Mass Ejections*
Abstract
The fastest coronal mass ejections (CMEs) typically originate from active regions on the Sun. From a theoretical standpoint, fast CMEs are the most difficult to understand and model, because they require that large amounts of magnetic energy (1032 ergs) be released rapidly (~1000 seconds). We describe MHD computations of eruptive behavior in an active region arising from the flux cancellation mechanism. The active region is modeled as a localized bipole within a global dipolar configuration, and is similar to the solar magnetic flux for the May 12, 1997 CME. We find that a localized 3D configuration erupts as a consequence of flux cancellation, in the same way that 2D axisymmetric and large-scale 3D fields erupt. We discuss the role of the interaction of the local active region magnetic field with the global magnetic fields due to the surrounding magnetic flux, as well the implications of our work for the initiation of fast CMEs. *Work supported by NASA and the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling (an NSF Science and Technology Center).
- Publication:
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AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2005
- Bibcode:
- 2005AGUSMSH54B..05L
- Keywords:
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- 7509 Corona;
- 7513 Coronal mass ejections;
- 7524 Magnetic fields;
- 7531 Prominence eruptions