Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, along with international collaborators, have modeled the continuous thermodynamic evolution of CMEs which is critical for understanding the sun-earth connection. They applied the model to two specific CMEs from the past (on September 24, 2011, and August 20, 2018) and had data from multiple telescopes and spacecraft.
Soumyaranjan Khuntia, the lead author and a doctoral student at IIA, said the study marked a “novel trend” of research and derived a comprehensive evolution profile of CME thermodynamic parameters leveraging the analytical called the Flux Rope Internal State model. “The indigenously developed model takes inputs from the wide-field-of-view coronagraphic white-light observations,” he said.
The researchers worked with data from NASA and ESA space missions like SOHO (SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory), STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElation Observatory), SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory), and the indigenously developed model. They found that the fast CME, during its early phase marked by rapid deceleration, released heat, and the slow CME, while in gradual acceleration, showed evidence of heat absorption.
Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
