Estimation of the energy involved in a solar coronal mass ejection using spectroscopic observations in the 5303Å emission line

Abstract

While the amount of solar coronal energy flux leaving the "quiet" Sun, coronal holes, and active regions has been estimated by many, similar calculations for transients like coronal mass ejections (CMEs) based on observations are few. Using spectroscopic observations in the 5303 Å coronal emission line with the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph on board Aditya-L1, we report estimates of the Alfvén wave energy flux before and during a transient coronal dimming caused by a CME. Our analysis indicates that the coronal energy flux associated with the dimming is ≍7.3 × 105 erg cm−2 s−1, which is ≍7% of the typical energy loss of 107 erg cm−2 s−1 from an active region due to conduction, radiative, and solar wind fluxes.