Coronal Mass Ejections and other dynamic activity in the solar corona: studies and analysis methods for white light and extreme ultraviolet observatio

Build-up of magnetic energy in the low corona can lead to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) - huge eruptions of hot, magnetised plasma. This project aims to better understand CMEs through (a) detailed statistical studies of large numbers of CMEs and (b) development of new analysis tools. The statistical study begins with the identification of hundreds of filament eruptions. These are studied using new image processing techniques applied to EUV observations of the lower corona. Their corresponding CMEs are studied using new analysis and calibration methods applied to white light coronagraph observations. Links between their structural characteristics near, and far, from the Sun are made. New analysis tools are sophisticated extensions of novel processing techniques applied to coronagraph observations, and they aim to automatically calculate the true 3-D mass distribution and kinematics of CMEs. Success in this aspect will enable considerable inroads in understanding CMEs, and can also provide a better means to give warnings of large CMEs which are likely to hit Earth.