Cartoons showing the orientation and topology of the MC as determined by the GCS model with respect to STA (red dot) and STB (blue dot). a) The propagation direction of the MC is towards the backside of the Sun as seen from Earth, 5° away from the Sun-Earth line (E175) and 15° to the south (as estimated by the GCS model close to the Sun). b) View from outside 1 AU back towards STA and STB. The MC front (gray ellipse) is strongly inclined with respect to the equatorial plane and nearly centrally passes STB but not STA (as estimated by the in situ model).