On The Possible Mechanism Of Energy Dissipation In Shock-Wave Fronts Driven Ahead Of Coronal Mass Ejections

Analysis of Mark 4 and LASCO C2, C3 coronagraph data shows that, at the distance $R \leq 6$ R$_\odot$ from the center of the Sun, the thickness of a CME-generated shock-wave front ($\delta_F$) may be of order of the proton mean free path. This means that the energy dissipation mechanism in the shock front at these distances is collisional. A new discontinuity (thickness $\delta_F^* \ll \delta_F$) is observed to appear in the anterior part of the front at $R \geq 10$ R$_\odot$. Within the limits of experimental error, the thickness $\delta_F^* \approx$ 0.1-0.2 R$_\odot$ does not vary with distance and is determined by the spatial resolution of the LASCO C3 instrument. At the initial stage of formation, the discontinuity on the scale of $\delta_F^*$ has rather small amplitude and exists simultaneously with the front having thickness $\delta_F$. The relative amplitude of the discontinuity gradually increases with distance, and the brightness profile behind it becomes even. Such transformations may be associated with the transition from a collisional shock wave to a collisionless one.Comment: 3 figure

Study of the mechanism for solar wind formation

Observations of the corona and solar wind are analyzed and compared with generalized results derived from laboratory-scale experiments. It was shown that a thermal pressure gradient can make a major contribution to a precipitating plasma of the solar wind emanating from coronal holes. It is found that the divergence Phi = (R/R sub solar radius)f of the magnetic field lines, originating from coronal holes, is one of the factors governing solar wind velocity at Earth orbit (R= 1 AU). A decrease in the velocity V sub R = 1 AU from approx = 750 mk/sec down to approx = 450 km/sec may be attributable to an increase in superradial divergence f from approx = 7-9 to 20. The plasma energy flux density F at the base of the coronal holes representing the sources of the solar wind with V sub R=1AE = (450 to 750) km/sec, remains nearly constant, being F approx = (1.4 +/- 0.3) x 10 to the 6th power x ergs/sq cm/sec for the period 1973-1975

Comment on "CAWSES November 7-8, 2004, superstorm: Complex solar and interplanetary features in the post-solar maximum phase" by B. T. Tsurutani, E. Echer, F. L. Guarnieri, and J. U. Kozyra

Recently Tsurutani et al., (2008) (Paper 1) analyzed the complex interplanetary structures during 7 to 8 November, 2004 to identify their properties as well as resultant geomagnetic effects and the solar origins. Besides mentioned paper by Gopalswamy et al., (2006) the solar and interplanetary sources of geomagnetic storm on 7-10 November, 2004 have also been discussed in details in series of other papers. Some conclusions of these works essentially differ from conclusions of the Paper 1 but have not been discussed by authors of Paper 1. In this comment we would like to discuss some of these distinctions.Comment: Submitted for publication in Geophysical Research Letter

Coronal Shock Waves, EUV Waves, and Their Relation to CMEs. III. Shock-Associated CME/EUV Wave in an Event with a Two-Component EUV Transient

On 17 January 2010, STEREO-B observed in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and white light a large-scale dome-shaped expanding coronal transient with perfectly connected off-limb and on-disk signatures. Veronig et al. (2010, ApJL 716, 57) concluded that the dome was formed by a weak shock wave. We have revealed two EUV components, one of which corresponded to this transient. All of its properties found from EUV, white light, and a metric type II burst match expectations for a freely expanding coronal shock wave including correspondence to the fast-mode speed distribution, while the transient sweeping over the solar surface had a speed typical of EUV waves. The shock wave was presumably excited by an abrupt filament eruption. Both a weak shock approximation and a power-law fit match kinematics of the transient near the Sun. Moreover, the power-law fit matches expansion of the CME leading edge up to 24 solar radii. The second, quasi-stationary EUV component near the dimming was presumably associated with a stretched CME structure; no indications of opening magnetic fields have been detected far from the eruption region.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures. Solar Physics, published online. The final publication is available at http://www.springerlink.co