Measuring the Magnetic Field of a Coronal Mass Ejection from Low to Middle Corona

TL;DR

This study measures the magnetic field of a CME from the low to middle corona using radio imaging spectroscopy, revealing the magnetic field strength at different heights during eruption.

Contribution

First-time application of gyrosynchrotron spectral diagnostics to measure CME magnetic fields in both low and middle corona.

Findings

Magnetic field around 300 G at 0.02 R_sun during initiation.

Magnetic field about 0.6 G at 1.83 R_sun during propagation.

Microwave and meter-wave observations show consistent CME morphology.

Abstract

A major challenge in understanding the initiation and evolution of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is measuring the magnetic field of the magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) that drive CMEs. Recent developments in radio imaging spectroscopy have paved the way for diagnosing the CMEs' magnetic field using gyrosynchrotron radiation. We present magnetic field measurements of a CME associated with an X5-class flare by combining radio imaging spectroscopy data in microwaves (1--18 GHz) and meter-wave (20--88 MHz), obtained by the Owens Valley Radio Observatory's Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA) and Long Wavelength Array (OVRO-LWA), respectively. EOVSA observations reveal that the microwave source, observed in the low corona during the initiation phase of the eruption, outlines the bottom of the rising MFR-hosting CME bubble seen in extreme ultraviolet and expands as the bubble evolves. As the MFR erupts into the middle corona and appears as a white light CME, its meter-wave counterpart, observed by OVRO-LWA, displays a similar morphology. For the first time, using gyrosynchrotron spectral diagnostics, we obtain magnetic field measurements of the erupting MFR in both the low and middle corona, corresponding to coronal heights of 0.02 and 1.83 $R_{\odot}$. The magnetic field strength is found to be around 300 G at 0.02 $R_{\odot}$ during the CME initiation, and about 0.6 G near the leading edge of the CME when it propagates to 1.83 $R_{\odot}$. These results provide critical new insights into the magnetic structure of the CME and its evolution during the early stages of its eruption.