Role of coronagraphic downflows in triggering coronal rain

Determine whether the smaller-scale downflows frequently observed in coronagraphic images progress all the way to the low corona and contribute to stimulating coronal rain condensations.

Background

The paper reports that material from the disrupted CME2 falls back toward the low corona and appears in SDO/AIA observations. At 304 Å, the downflow is associated with coronal-rain condensations that develop above a loop arcade. This suggests a possible connection between downward flows from the upper corona and the formation of coronal rain, but the authors do not establish whether the numerous smaller-scale downflows commonly observed in coronagraphic images likewise reach the low corona or trigger such condensations.

The problem is included because confirming this mechanism could broaden the interpretation of coronal rain beyond condensations produced by thermal instability in quasi-static coronal loops, linking it instead to externally supplied plasma flows from the upper corona.

References

If those smaller scale downflows are also progressing all the way back to the low corona, is it possible that they also play a role in stimulating coronal rain condensations?

— Observations of Disrupted CME Material Falling Back Into the Low Corona  (2608.17951 - Wood et al., 18 Aug 2026) in Section 7, “SDO/AIA Observes CME Remnant Plasma Falling Back to the Sun”