Long term evolution of a non-active region sigmoid and its CME activity

Recent studies have considered sigmoidal features in the Solar corona to po ssess a high probability of eruption. Unlike these studies which have focus sed only on active region sigmoids, the present work centres on a large are a which developed S-like morphology unconfined by a single active region. T he S-like feature formed near the central meridian on 8th May 2000 and was observed to erupt, with an associated CME, twice over a period of 3 days. W e observe considerable CME and flaring activity in two previous rotations, consistent with the observation of active regions and emerging flux. We ill ustrate sigmoid formation through the appearance of highly sheared soft X-r ay loops overlying an extended filament channel. This arises from the gradu al diffusion of flux associated with a large, dispersing active region over the period of three solar rotations. This scenario is indicative of shear build-up within the region over several rotations. The observed CMEs act to remove helicity from the highly sheared sigmoidal feature, finally produci ng an approximately potential filament channel on 10th May 2000.