Initiating coronal mass ejection based on vector magnetograms in the Alfven Wave Solar atmosphere Model

We have developed and implemented a new data-driven method to initiate a coronal mass ejection (CME) in the Alfven Wave Solar atmosphere Model (AWSoM). Our new approach uses an HMI vector magnetogram observed prior to the CME eruption. First we obtain an approximate non-linear force free (NLFF) magnetic field in the vicinity of the active region with a magnetofriction code. Next, this magnetic field is inserted into the AWSoM steady state solution in place of the original potential field to obtain an approximate steady state with the full physics of AWSoM. At this point the currents present in the NLFF field are ignored. Finally, we return to using the potential field as the background so that the difference of the NLFF and potential fields becomes the initial magnetic field structure of the CME. Solving in time-accurate mode with the NLFF field currents fully included results in an eruption. We report on the results obtained with this new CME initiation method for several events.