Current sheet evolution in the aftermath of a CME

Abstract

Remote and in situ observations of the coronal restructuring that followed a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on November 26, 2002, were obtained during the fall 2002 SOHO Ulysses quadrature campaign. SOHO UVCS data at 1.7 solar radii reveal, in a spatially limited location, emission in the 974.8 Å line of [Fe XVIII], indicating temperatures ≥ 5 × 10 6 K. UVCS and EIT data analysis show this to be the signature of a current sheet (CS) overlying a growing loop system formed in the aftermath of the CME. The CS properties are given here over a time span of about 2 days. Ulysses intercepted the CME ejecta and high ionization state Fe was detected by SWICS throughout the magnetic cloud associated with the CME. Remote and in situ observations are shown to agree with predictions from the CME model of Lin & Forbes (2000).