Numerical Research on the Effect of the Initial Parameters of a CME Flux-rope Model on Simulation Results

Abstract

Abstract Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the major drivers of space weather, and an accurate modeling of their initialization and propagation up to 1 au and beyond is an important issue for space weather research and forecasts. In this research, we use the newly developed three-dimensional (3D) flux-rope CME initialization model and 3D IN (interplanetary)-TVD MHD model to study the effect of different CME initial parameters on simulation outputs. The initial CME flux model is established based on the graduated cylindrical shell model. In order to test the influence of the CME initial parameters on the simulation results, we try to run several simulations with different CME initial parameters, then investigate the outputs in interplanetary space. Here, we focus only on cases in which observers are located in the same initial direction of propagation of the CME. Our analysis shows that the parameters specifying the CME initialization in the model, including the initial density, the thickness of CME flux tube, initial mass, and initial magnetic field, have different effects on the simulation results for observers near the Earth and Mars, and on the process of propagation of the CME in interplanetary space. This confirms the important role played by details of the initial implementation of geometric and physical parameters on space weather research and forecasts.