MPS Seminar: Considerations on the morphology of coronal mass ejections (Hebe Cremades)

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are undoubtedly the most spectacular transient events that can be observed in the solar corona. Enabled by the fleet of solar- and heliospheric-dedicated spacecraft with the capability of detecting them remotely and/or in situ, CMEs and their interplanetary counterparts have been characterized with increasing detail throughout the years. Nevertheless, several aspects of CMEs remain elusive, including their three-dimensional magnetic configuration, mainly due to limitations inherent to observations. CME morphology, closely linked to the magnetic field configuration, can be studied using remote-sensing data, offering valuable insights into the magnetic structure of these threatening events. Findings on CME morphology are key for the modeling and interpretation of in situ signatures of these events, not only arriving to geospace but also to other objects in the solar system. In particular, the extent of CMEs, expansion rates, departures from the archetypical flux rope structure, and factors affecting the characterization of CME morphology will be discussed, as well as their relation to source region attributes. To finish, a progress report on the recently initiated work within the framework of the Dynasun project will be presented.