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Solar outburst pulls a magnetic slingshot

21 November 2007

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This video is composed of observations by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) onboard the ESA/NASA SOHO satellite from 21 November 2001 to 25 November 2001.

The data was very badly degraded from about 08:30 CET on 23 November 2001 through approximately 10:30 CET on 24 November 2001 as a result of the solar proton storm associated with X-ray flares that erupted on 22 November 2001 and the shock originating from the Coronal Mass Ejection.

Credits: ESA/ NASA/ SOHO/ LASCO

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Flying in formation around the Earth, they relay detailed information about how solar wind affects our planet in 3D. The satellites are called Rumba, Salsa, Samba and Tango.

Credits: ESA

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This video if the the result of a global Magneto Hydro Dynamic (MHD) simulation based on the event on 25 November 2001.

The movie shows the colour-coded plasma flow speed in the equatorial plane, together with the magnetic field line attached to a given flow element that passes through the large flow region of the magnetosheath, close to the magnetopause.

By following the magnetic field line attached to the flow element, we can observe the 'magnetic slingshot' effect. As a solar wind magnetic field line encounters Earth, it bends and drapes, and eventually straightens back on the flanks as the magnetic curvature and pressure forces are released, thus accelerating the plasma. The field lines of the magnetospheric are shown in black for context.

Credits: Community Coordinated Modeling Center (A. Ridley)

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