ESTIMATION OF THE MASS OF A CORONAL MASS EJECTION FROM RADIO OBSERVATIONS

We estimate the mass of a coronal mass ejection (CME) using meter-decametric observations obtained with the Clark Lake multifrequency radioheliograph. Mass estimates in the past have been made using coronagraph and white-light photometer observations. Since the radiation at radio and optical wavelength regimes has different physical origins, the radio method may provide an independent check on the mass estimates. Our estimate of the 1986 February 16 CME using the radio method is close to the average value of CME masses reported in the literature.