Solar Physics 233 (2), 233−248, 2006
© Springer Verlag
The Deceleration of an Interplanetary Transient from the Sun to 5 AU
S.J. Tappin
School of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Abstract
A CME which was first seen in LASCO is tracked through SMEI and on out to Ulysses. These measurements
allow us to determine the deceleration and compare different models of the deceleration process.
It is found that both a simple "snow plough" model and an aerodynamic drag model predict
a much more rapid deceleration in the lower solar wind than is observed. Therefore some driving force
is needed over an extended range of distances to account for the motion of the transient. It is
conjectured that at least part of this driving force may be provided by one of two low-latitude
coronal holes which were close to the site of the CME.