Estimating magnetic fields in Earth-impacting coronal mass ejections

Abstract:

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have a major role in space weather. The severity of their influence crucially depends upon the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field carried within the CME. However, the lack of robust methods for estimating in advance the magnetic field in Earth-impacting CMEs severely limits the accuracy of long-lead time space weather forecasts and demands further research. In this presentation we discuss the status and future challenges in estimating the magnetic field within the CMEs in the low corona through modelling and observations, focusing particularly on novel data-driven and time-dependent methods.