Lorentz Force Imprint on the Solar Photosphere from the Inclined Eruptions on 2014 January 07

Abstract:

Vector magnetic field observations from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) have confirmed that eruptions in the tenuous solar corona can leave clear, concentrated imprints on the photospheric magnetic field. The detailed changes may be used to diagnose the eruption dynamics. As a case study, we evaluate the Lorentz force acting on the coronal plasma based on HMI vector field sequence before and after two eruptions on 2014 January 7. Clear changes in all three components were present. Interestingly, both ejecta appeared inclined in the lower corona, leading to CMEs that less affected the Earth despite their disk-center origins. We discuss the links between the Lorentz force changes, the coronal magnetic topology, and the ejecta dynamics, and their implications on space weather prediction.