Evidence of an Erupting Magnetic Flux Rope: LASCO Coronal Mass Ejection of 1997 April 13

Abstract
A coronal mass ejection (CME) observed by LASCO exhibits evidence that its magnetic field geometry is that of a flux rope. The dynamical properties throughout the fields of view of C2 and C3 telescopes are examined. The results are compared with theoretical predictions based on a model of solar flux ropes. It is shown that the LASCO observations are consistent with a two-dimensional projection of a three-dimensional magnetic flux rope with legs that remain connected to the Sun.