SHINE: The Evolution of Coronal Dimmings and Their Relationship to Eruptive Phenomena

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are colossal plasma bubbles in the interplanetary space that contain intense magnetic fields and superheated coronal particles. Understanding CME evolution is particularly important as they are major drivers of severe space weather, which poses economic risks such as communication disruption, power grid failures, and satellite malfunctions. This project will study coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from their low-corona signatures to their effects near Earth. It will analyze coronal dimmings, which are temporary low-corona signatures of CME eruptions, using solar observing satellites and magnetograms, and identify and analyze the corresponding CMEs using satellite coronograph data. Furthermore, the CME properties will be identified in-situ in the solar wind data and linked to geomagnetic disturbance values on Earth. Undergraduate students will gain research experience through data preparation and testing. This project will utilize sophisticated datasets in conjunction with advanced image processing tools to understand the nature and evolution of dimmings and CMEs. It is made up of two parts: a small-scale comprehensive study and a large-scale statistical study. In part (1), this project will investigate the CME and dimming evolution through initial 50 events using solar observing satellites including Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO). The CME morphology and magnetic structure will also be investigated using the Potential Field Source Surface and Graduated Cylindrical Shell models. The CME properties will be identified in the solar wind data using the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite and linked to geomagnetic disturbance values on Earth. In part (2), another 150 dimmings will be added to the event catalog and related to CME solar wind properties and geomagnetic observations on Earth. The dimming event catalog will be made publicly available as part of the Big Earth Data Initiative project to improve rapid and long-term access to key data to support research. The findings will extend scientific understanding of solar eruptions and also potentially improve current space weather alerting efforts. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.