The Deflection of the Cartwheel CME: ForeCAT Results

We analyze the Cartwheel coronal mass ejection's (CME; 2008 April 9) trajectory in the low corona with the ForeCAT model. This complex event presented a significant rotation in the low corona and a reversal in its original latitude direction. We successfully reproduce the observed CME's trajectory (latitude and longitude deflection) and speed. Through a test, we are able to constrain the CME's mass to (2.3−3.0) × 1014 g and the CME's initial shape. We are able to constrain the expansion of the CME as well: the angular width linearly increases until 2.1 , and is constant afterward. In order to match the observed latitude, we include a non-radial initial speed of −42 km s−1. Despite allowing the CME to rotate in the model, the magnetic forces of the solar background are not able to reproduce the observed rotation. We suggest that the complex reversal in latitude and the significant rotation of the Cartwheel CME can be justified with an asymmetrical reconnection event that ejected the CME non-radially and also initiated its rotation.