A magnetic cloud and a coronal mass ejection

Abstract

An interplanetary magnetic cloud observed by the Helios 1 spacecraft was found to be associated with a coronal mass ejection observed by the NRL Solwind coronagraph on the spacecraft P78-1. The magnetic cloud was observed on June 20, 1980, when Helios 1 was at 0.54 AU and nearly 90 deg west of the earth-sun line. This was associated with a large loop-like coronal mass ejection observed over the west limb on June 18, 1980, moving toward Helios 1. The speed of the front of the event at Helios 1 was (470 + or - 10) km/s, which is close to the mean transit speed (approximately 500 km/s). The magnetic cloud was similar to others described in the literature: The magnetic field strength was higher than average; the density was relatively low; the magnetic pressure greatly exceeded the ion thermal pressure; and the magnetic field direction changed through the cloud by rotating parallel to a plane which was highly inclined with respect to the ecliptic.