Disconnection of Coronal Field Lines Due to the Emergence of New Photo-Spheric Flux as the Cause of CMES & Interplanetary Shocks

Abstract

AbstractA scenario is presented whereby CMEs and interplanetary shocks are consequences of a large scale rearrangement of the coronal magnetic field induced by the disconnection of field lines from the solar surface due to the emergence of flux with opposite polarity. In this scenario the CME is the mass released from the previously closed structure and the interplanetary shock is formed by the injection of faster solar wind from an extended or newly created coronal hole which results from the opening of the field lines. Here CMEs and interplanetary shocks are associated events, but not cause-effect related. Observational and computational evidence supporting this view is provided.