This session provides the opportunity for researchers to discuss the initiation and propagation of solar wind structures between the Sun and 1AU. The launch of the SECCHI and SMEI instruments on the STEREO and Coriolis spacecraft, respectively, provide routine multipoint and multiscale observations of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs). The formation and evolution of CMEs and CIRs can now be studied continuously, with great precision and in 3-D from the Sun to the Earth. These detailed observations of CMEs in particular give the early forecast of severe geomagnetic storms, thereby providing a unique opportunity for different space physics communities to collaborate on the same studies. We encourage submission of papers which focus on inter-comparisons of both imaging (from STEREO, SMEI or SoHO ) and numerical modelling with in-situ observations of CIRs or CMEs between the Sun and 1AU. Topics such as the continual solar activity during the current deep solar minimum, the evolution and topology of CMEs, the interaction of transients with the background solar wind are of particular interest to this session. An assessment of the role of solar transient releases in restructuring the lower corona or in forcing geomagnetic activity during this current solar minimum is also of great interest to this session.

Solicited people: Brian Wood, brian.wood@nrl.navy.mil; Emilia Kilpua, Emilia.Kilpua@helsinki.fi.