A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar Probe

Despite the significance of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in space weather, a comprehensive understanding of their interior morphology remains a scientific challenge, particularly with the advent of many state-of-the-art solar missions such as Parker Solar Probe (Parker) and Solar Orbiter (SO). In t...

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Main Authors: Shaheda Begum Shaik, Mark G. Linton, Sarah E. Gibson, Phillip Hess, Robin C. Colaninno, Guillermo Stenborg, Carlos R. Braga, Erika Palmerio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2024-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8354
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author Shaheda Begum Shaik
Mark G. Linton
Sarah E. Gibson
Phillip Hess
Robin C. Colaninno
Guillermo Stenborg
Carlos R. Braga
Erika Palmerio
author_facet Shaheda Begum Shaik
Mark G. Linton
Sarah E. Gibson
Phillip Hess
Robin C. Colaninno
Guillermo Stenborg
Carlos R. Braga
Erika Palmerio
author_sort Shaheda Begum Shaik
collection DOAJ
description Despite the significance of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in space weather, a comprehensive understanding of their interior morphology remains a scientific challenge, particularly with the advent of many state-of-the-art solar missions such as Parker Solar Probe (Parker) and Solar Orbiter (SO). In this study, we present an analysis of a complex CME as observed by the Wide-Field Imager for Solar PRobe (WISPR) heliospheric imager during Parker’s seventh solar encounter. The CME morphology does not fully conform with the general three-part density structure, exhibiting a front and core not significantly bright, with a highly structured overall configuration. In particular, its morphology reveals nonconcentric nested rings, which we argue are a signature of the embedded helical magnetic flux rope of the CME. For that, we analyze the morphological and kinematical properties of the nested density structures and demonstrate that they outline the projection of the three-dimensional structure of the flux rope as it crosses the lines of sight of the WISPR imager, thereby revealing the magnetic field geometry. Comparison of observations from various viewpoints suggests that the CME substructures can be discerned owing to the ideal viewing perspective, close proximity, and spatial resolution of the observing instrument.
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spelling doaj-art-32a5a70ff3934973892110b7d9110ece2024-11-26T19:50:51ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572024-01-01976217910.3847/1538-4357/ad8354A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar ProbeShaheda Begum Shaik0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3089-3431Mark G. Linton1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4459-7510Sarah E. Gibson2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9831-2640Phillip Hess3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1377-6353Robin C. Colaninno4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3253-4205Guillermo Stenborg5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8480-947XCarlos R. Braga6https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1485-9564Erika Palmerio7https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6590-3479George Mason University , Fairfax, VA 22030, USA ; sshaik7@gmu.edu; U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, DC 20375, USAU.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, DC 20375, USANational Center for Atmospheric Research , Boulder, CO 80305, USAU.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, DC 20375, USAU.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, DC 20375, USAThe Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory , Laurel, MD 20723, USAThe Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory , Laurel, MD 20723, USAPredictive Science Inc. , San Diego, CA 92121, USADespite the significance of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in space weather, a comprehensive understanding of their interior morphology remains a scientific challenge, particularly with the advent of many state-of-the-art solar missions such as Parker Solar Probe (Parker) and Solar Orbiter (SO). In this study, we present an analysis of a complex CME as observed by the Wide-Field Imager for Solar PRobe (WISPR) heliospheric imager during Parker’s seventh solar encounter. The CME morphology does not fully conform with the general three-part density structure, exhibiting a front and core not significantly bright, with a highly structured overall configuration. In particular, its morphology reveals nonconcentric nested rings, which we argue are a signature of the embedded helical magnetic flux rope of the CME. For that, we analyze the morphological and kinematical properties of the nested density structures and demonstrate that they outline the projection of the three-dimensional structure of the flux rope as it crosses the lines of sight of the WISPR imager, thereby revealing the magnetic field geometry. Comparison of observations from various viewpoints suggests that the CME substructures can be discerned owing to the ideal viewing perspective, close proximity, and spatial resolution of the observing instrument.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8354Solar coronaSolar coronal mass ejectionsHeliosphereSolar magnetic fields
spellingShingle Shaheda Begum Shaik
Mark G. Linton
Sarah E. Gibson
Phillip Hess
Robin C. Colaninno
Guillermo Stenborg
Carlos R. Braga
Erika Palmerio
A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar Probe
The Astrophysical Journal
Solar corona
Solar coronal mass ejections
Heliosphere
Solar magnetic fields
title A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar Probe
title_full A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar Probe
title_fullStr A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar Probe
title_full_unstemmed A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar Probe
title_short A Study on the Nested Rings CME Structure Observed by the WISPR Imager Onboard Parker Solar Probe
title_sort study on the nested rings cme structure observed by the wispr imager onboard parker solar probe
topic Solar corona
Solar coronal mass ejections
Heliosphere
Solar magnetic fields
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8354
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