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On The Possible Mechanism Of Energy Dissipation In Shock-Wave Fronts Driven Ahead Of Coronal Mass Ejections

Analysis of Mark 4 and LASCO C2, C3 coronagraph data shows that, at the distance $R \leq 6$ R$_\odot$ from the center of the Sun, the thickness of a CME-generated shock-wave front ($δ_F$) may be of order of the proton mean free path. This means that the energy dissipation mechanism in the shock front at these distances is collisional. A new discontinuity (thickness $δ_F^* \ll δ_F$) is observed to appear in the anterior part of the front at $R \geq 10$ R$_\odot$. Within the limits of experimental error, the thickness $δ_F^* \approx$ 0.1-0.2 R$_\odot$ does not vary with distance and is determined by the spatial resolution of the LASCO C3 instrument. At the initial stage of formation, the discontinuity on the scale of $δ_F^*$ has rather small amplitude and exists simultaneously with the front having thickness $δ_F$. The relative amplitude of the discontinuity gradually increases with distance, and the brightness profile behind it becomes even. Such transformations may be associated with the transition from a collisional shock wave to a collisionless one.