Open AccessA comparison of the formation and evolution of magnetic flux ropes in solar coronal mass ejections and magnetotail plasmoids
Author(s) -
Linton M. G.,
Moldwin M. B.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2008ja013660
Subject(s) - plasmoid , coronal mass ejection , physics , rope , flux (metallurgy) , astrophysics , solar flare , interplanetary spaceflight , magnetic reconnection , space weather , corona (planetary geology) , magnetic flux , astronomy , plasma , solar wind , magnetic field , astrobiology , nuclear physics , materials science , quantum mechanics , metallurgy , structural engineering , engineering , venus
Solar coronal mass ejections and their interplanetary counterparts often show evidence of a twisted flux rope structure that is nearly identical, though of vastly different spatial scale, to plasmoids observed in the Earth's magnetotail. This paper reviews the current understanding of flux rope formation, morphology, and evolution in coronal mass ejections and magnetotail plasmoids. It highlights the idea that flux rope formation is a common space physics phenomenon and that the physical mechanisms responsible for flux rope formation occur over a wide range of plasma conditions wherever current sheets exist.