Pre-eruptive existence of coronal magnetic flux ropes

Determine whether magnetic flux ropes in the solar corona exist prior to the initiation of coronal mass ejections or are instead formed during the eruption itself.

Background

Magnetic flux ropes are widely regarded as the core structure of coronal mass ejections, but their pre-eruptive origin remains debated. Competing views include pre-existing coronal flux ropes, emergence from below the photosphere, and in-situ coronal formation via shearing and reconnection. Clarifying whether flux ropes are present before eruption or are assembled during the eruption is central to CME initiation theory and prediction.

The paper models eruptive behavior with an emerging twisted torus and compares reconnection flux evolution against observations, while acknowledging the broader uncertainty on flux-rope pre-existence.