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Properties and Radial Trends of Coronal Mass Ejecta and Their Associated Shocks Observed by Ulysses in the Ecliptic PlaneIn this paper, magnetic and plasma measurements are used to analyze 17 interplanetary coronal mass ejections (CMEs) identified by Ulysses during its in-ecliptic passage to Jupiter. We focus on the expansion characteristics of these CMEs (as inferred from the time rate of change of the velocity profiles through the CMEs) and the properties of 14 forward shocks unambiguously associated with these CMEs. We highlight radial trends from 1 to 5.4 AU. Our results indicate that the CMEs are generally expanding at all heliocentric distances. With regard to the shocks preceding these ejecta, we note the following: (1) There is a clear tendency for the shock speed (in the upstream frame of reference) to decrease with increasing heliocentric distance as the CMEs transfer momentum to the ambient solar wind and slow down; (2) 86% of the shock fronts are oriented in the ecliptic plane such that their normals point westward (i.e., in the direction of planetary motion about the Sun), (3) 86% of the shocks are propagating toward the heliographic equator; and (4) no clear trend was found in the strength of the shocks versus heliocentric distance. These results are interpreted using simple dynamical arguments and are supported by fluid and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations.
Document ID
20010038247
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Riley, Pete
(Science Applications International Corp. San Diego, CA United States)
Gosling, J. T.
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
McComas, D. J.
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Forsyth, R. J.
(Imperial Coll. London United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
February 28, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: An Investigation of the Large Scale Evolution and Topology of Coronal Mass Ejections in the Solar Wind
Issue: Appedix 2
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Report/Patent Number
Paper-1999JA000169
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-98030
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-96-13834
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-98007
CONTRACT_GRANT: G35240018-97
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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