AUTHOR=Winslow Réka M. , Scolini Camilla , Jian Lan K. , Nieves-Chinchilla Teresa , Temmer Manuela , Carcaboso Fernando , Schmieder Brigitte , Poedts Stefaan , Lynch Benjamin J. , Wood Brian E. , Palmerio Erika , Lugaz Noé , Farrugia Charles J. , Lee Christina O. , Davies Emma E. , Regnault Florian , Salman Tarik M. , Török Tibor , Al-Haddad Nada , Vourlidas Angelos , Manchester Ward B. , Jin Meng , Lavraud Benoit , Galvin Antoinette B. TITLE=On the importance of investigating CME complexity evolution during interplanetary propagation JOURNAL=Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/astronomy-and-space-sciences/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.1064175 DOI=10.3389/fspas.2022.1064175 ISSN=2296-987X ABSTRACT=

This perspective paper brings to light the need for comprehensive studies on the evolution of interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) complexity during propagation. To date, few studies of ICME complexity exist. Here, we define ICME complexity and associated changes in complexity, describe recent works and their limitations, and outline key science questions that need to be tackled. Fundamental research on ICME complexity changes from the solar corona to 1 AU and beyond is critical to our physical understanding of the evolution and interaction of transients in the inner heliosphere. Furthermore, a comprehensive understanding of such changes is required to understand the space weather impact of ICMEs at different heliospheric locations and to improve on predictive space weather models.