Global configuration of the magnetic flux ropes. The elliptical cylinders (EC model) representing the MFRs are respectively shown in magenta, red, and blue for MESSENGER, STEREO-A, and STEREO-B. The respective coloured arrows correspond to the cylinders axes’ final orientation in space. The positions of the spacecraft and the lines connecting them to the Sun are marked with the respective coloured dots (not to scale) and dashed lines. The Sun is indicated with the yellow dot (not to scale), and the green line represents the Earth–Sun direction. The dashed black curve represents the MFR axis orientation as derived from solar disk observations. The helicities as remotely observed and measured in situ are indicated with RH or LH.