Observations of CMEs and Models of the Eruptive Corona

Abstract

Current theoretical ideas on the internal structure of CMEs suggest that a flux rope is central to the CME structure, which has considerable observational support both from remote-sensing and in-situ observations. The flux-rope nature is also consistent with the post-eruption arcades with high-temperature plasmas and the charge states observed within CMEs arriving at Earth. The model involving magnetic loop expansion to explain CMEs without flux ropes is not viable because it contradicts CME kinematics and flare properties near the Sun. The flux rope is fast, it drives a shock, so the global picture of CMEs becomes complete if one includes the shock sheath to the CSHKP model.