HELIOS: A Visualization Tool to Decipher the Locations and Dynamical Properties of Expanding Small Magnetic Flux Ropes in the Corona

Abstract On 2024 December 24, Parker Solar Probe made its closest approach to the Sun, reaching a 9.86 R ⊙ heliocentric distance and capturing high-resolution observations of the solar corona. During this and other perihelia, the Wide-field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR) imaged numerous small “blobs” propagating near the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). In this study, we analyze five such features observed during encounters 20 and 22 and introduce Helio-Environment Localization and Interpretation of OutflowS (HELIOS), a new visualization tool. HELIOS projects the 3D HCS geometry, derived from potential field extrapolations, on the WISPR images to provide the magnetic context for the observations. We compare the HELIOS output with a tracking technique to constrain the 3D position, speed, and acceleration of each blob. The blobs exhibit speeds ranging from 100 to 510 km s −1 and accelerations of 3–21 m s −2 . The HELIOS-based localization validates the independent fitting method with an accuracy ranging from 1° to 13°, with a mean of 7°. All blobs exhibit non-self-similar accelerating expansion, likely driven by internal magnetic pressure. Some blobs show strong growth, while others display acceleration following initially weak expansion rates. HELIOS offers a powerful and versatile means to visualize and interpret the scene in WISPR and validate other analysis techniques.