CMEs in 3D

Using data from the LASCO coronagraph, scientists have produced the first three-dimensional views of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). This new result is critical for a complete understanding of these dramatic phenomena.

To fully understand the origin of these powerful blasts and the process that launches them from the Sun, scientists need to see the structure of CMEs in three dimensions. "Views in three dimensions will help us to better predict CME arrival times and impact angles at the Earth," says Dr. Thomas Moran, Catholic University, Washington, USA.

In collaboration with Dr. Joseph Davila, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, USA, Moran has analysed two-dimensional images from the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) in a new way to yield 3D images.

Their technique is able to reveal the complex and distorted magnetic fields that travel with the CME cloud and sometimes interact with the Earth's own magnetic field, pouring tremendous amounts of energy into the space near Earth.

The result is published in the 2 July 2004 issue of Science magazine. Read more by following the links below:

Related links

• Three-Dimensional Polarimetric Imaging of Coronal Mass Ejections (Science, Vol 305, Issue 5680, 66-70, 2 July 2004)
• First 3D View of Solar Eruptoins (ESA Science News Release)
• First 3D View of Solar Eruptions (Top Story, Goddard Space Flight Center)

Picture credits: SOHO/LASCO and SOHO/MDI (ESA & NASA) Instrument: LASCO (Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph)