Analysis of Forbush decreases during strong geomagnetic disturbances in March–April 2001

Using ground-based cosmic-ray (CR) observations on the worldwide network of neutron monitors, we have studied the variations in CR rigidity spectrum, anisotropy, and planetary system of geomagnetic cutoff rigidities during Forbush decreases in March-April 2001 by the global spectrographic method. By jointly analyzing ground-based and satellite measurements, we have determined the parameters of the CR rigidity spectrum that reflect the electromagnetic characteristics of the heliospheric fields in each hour of observations within the framework of the model of CR modulation by the heliosphere’s regular electromagnetic fields. The rigidity spectra of the variations and the relative changes in the intensity of CRs with rigidities of 4 and 10 GV in the solar-ecliptic geocentric coordinate system are presented in specific periods of the investigated events.     

Effective Rigidity of a Polar Neutron Monitor for Recording Ground-Level Enhancements

The “effective” rigidity of a neutron monitor for a ground-level enhancement (GLE) event is defined so that the event-integrated fluence of solar energetic protons with rigidity above it is directly proportional to the integral intensity of the GLE as recorded by a polar neutron monitor, within a wide range of solar energetic-proton spectra. This provides a direct way to assess the integral fluence of a GLE event based solely on neutron-monitor data. The effective rigidity/energy was found to be 1.13?–?1.42 GV (550?–?800 MeV). A small model-dependent, systematic uncertainty in the value of the effective rigidity is caused by uncertainties in the low-energy range of the neutron-monitor yield function, which requires more detailed computations of the latter.     

Solar cycle distribution of strong solar proton events and the related solar-terrestrial phenomena

We investigated the solar cycle distribution of strong solar proton events (SPEs, peak flux ≥1000 pfu) and the solar-terrestrial phenomena associated with the strong SPEs during solar cycles 21–23. The results show that 37 strong SPEs were registered over this period of time, where 20 strong SPEs were originated from the super active regions (SARs) and 28 strong SPEs were accompanied by the X-class flares. Most strong SPEs were not associated with the ground level enhancement (GLE) event. Most strong SPEs occurred in the descending phases of the solar cycles. The weaker the solar cycle, the higher the proportion of strong SPES occurred in the descending phase of the cycle. The number of the strong SPEs that occurred within a solar cycle is poorly associated with the solar cycle size. The intensity of the SPEs is highly dependent of the location of their source regions, with the super SPEs (≥20000 pfu) distributed around solar disk center. A super SPE was always accompanied by a fast shock driven by the associated coronal mass ejection and a great geomagnetic storm. The source location of strongest GLE event is distributed in the well-connected region. The SPEs associated with super GLE events (peak increase rate ≥100%) which have their peak flux much lower than 10000 pfu were not accompanied by an intense geomagnetic storm.     

A study on the dynamic spectral indices for SEP events on 2000 July 14 and 2005 January 20

We have studied the dynamic proton spectra for the two solar energetic particle(SEP) events on2000 July 14(hereafter GLE59) and 2005 January 20(hereafter GLE69). The source locations of GLE59 and GLE69 are N22 W07 and N12 W58 respectively. Proton fluxes 30 Me V have been used to compute the dynamic spectral indices of the two SEP events. Our results show that spectral indices of the two SEP events increased more swiftly at early times, suggesting that the proton fluxes 30 Me V might be accelerated particularly by the concurrent flares at early times for the two SEP events. For the GLE69 with source location at N12 W58, both flare site and shock nose are well connected with the Earth at the earliest time. However, only the particles accelerated by the shock driven by eastern flank of the CME can propagate along the interplanetary magnetic field line to the Earth after the flare. For the GLE59 with source location at N22 W07, only the particles accelerated by the shock driven by western flank of the associated CME can reach the Earth after the flare. Our results also show that there was slightly more than one hour during which the proton spectra for GLE69 are softer than that for GLE59 after the flares, suggesting that the shock driven by eastern flank of the CME associated with GLE69 is weaker than the shock driven by the western flank of the CME associated with GLE59. The results support that quasi-perpendicular shock has stronger potential in accelerating particles than the quasi-parallel shock. These results also suggest that only a small part of the shock driven by western flank of the CME associated with the GLE59 is quasi-perpendicular.     

A New Version of the Neutron Monitor Based Anisotropic GLE Model: Application to GLE60

In this work we present a cosmic ray model that couples primary solar cosmic rays at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere with the secondary ones detected at ground level by neutron monitors during Ground-Level Enhancements (GLEs). The Neutron Monitor Based Anisotropic GLE Pure Power Law (NMBANGLE PPOLA) model constitutes a new version of the already existing NMBANGLE model, differing in the solar cosmic ray spectrum assumed. The total output of the model is a multi-dimensional GLE picture that reveals part of the characteristics of the big solar proton events recorded at ground level. We apply both versions of the model to the GLE of 15 April 2001 (GLE60) and compare the results.     

First Analysis of Ground-Level Enhancement (GLE) 72 on 10 September 2017: Spectral and Anisotropy Characteristics

Using data obtained with neutron monitors and space-borne instruments, we analyzed the second ground-level enhancement (GLE) of Solar Cycle 24, namely the event of 10 September 2017 (GLE 72), and derived the spectral and angular characteristics of associated GLE particles. We employed a new neutron-monitor yield function and a recently proposed model based on an optimization procedure. The method consists of simulating particle propagation in a model magnetosphere in order to derive the cutoff rigidity and neutron-monitor asymptotic directions. Subsequently, the rigidity spectrum and anisotropy of GLE particles are obtained in their dynamical evolution during the event on the basis of an inverse-problem solution. The derived angular distribution and spectra are discussed briefly.     

Solar Proton Rigidity Spectra From 1 to 10 gv of Selected Flare Events Since 1960

We have deduced the power-law rigidity spectra, J(P)=AP ^–, and the spectral evolution of the solar flare events that occurred in the present solar activity cycle on 6 November 1997, 14 July 2000, and 15 and 18 April 2001. The implications of these results for the acceleration of high-energy protons are discussed. The analysis is based on the ratios of the Mt. Washington to the Durham neutron monitor count-rate increases during the solar flare events. These two neutron monitors are located at different elevations (828 and 1030 g cm^–2, respectively) but at approximately the same geographical latitude and longitude. The proton spectra from 1 to 10 GV determined from the ratios of the count rate increases of the two neutron monitors are found to agree with those deduced from the global neutron monitor network or selected neutron monitors in 10 solar flare events from 1960 to 1990 for which comparative results are available. Thus the ratio method is quick, easy and reliable for deducing the spectral shape of solar flare protons at neutron monitor rigidities and for obtaining the spectral evolution as a function of time.     

Analyzing the Solar Proton Event of 22 October 1989, Using the Method of Spectrographic Global Survey

Using ground-level observations of cosmic-ray (CR) intensities from a worldwide network of stations during the ground-level enhancement (GLE) of 22–23 October 1989, variations of the particle distribution function in all phases of the event were investigated.It is shown that time intensity profiles of 2–4 GV rigidity particles differ greatly from those of higher-energy particles. After the high-energy particle intensity attains a maximum, there is an abrupt decrease in intensity below the background level, followed by the phase of slow recovery to background values. The angular distribution of high-energy particles across the celestial sphere shows, along with an increased intensity, also regions with decreased relative background intensity.To explain the detected phenomenon, it is concluded that it is necessary to consider the solar CR propagation process in the heliosphere not in terms of the movement of particles in the external electromagnetic field but with proper account of the self-consistency of fields with the particle distribution function.     

On the possible mechanism of the first ground level enhancement in cosmic ray intensity of solar cycle 24

We have carried out this work to comprehend the possible mechanisms of the first ground level enhancement (GLE71 17 May 2012 01:50 UT) in cosmic ray intensity of the solar cycle 24. For this, the cosmic ray intensities registered by neutron monitors at several sites have been analyzed and studied with concurrent solar flares of different energy channels. To assess empirically whether the GLE might have been caused by the energy released from solar flare or CME-driven shock, we identify the possible time line in terms of the lowest spectral index determined from proton fluxes. If the GLE is caused by the energy released from particle acceleration in solar flare, the intensive phase of the flare representing the extreme emission should exist within/around the possible time line. In this respect, it is observed that the possible time line lies within the prominent phase of CME-driven shock. For better understanding, we have checked the possible relativistic energy with respect to solar flare as well as CME-driven shock. As witnessed, if the extreme emission phase of the flare is considered as the reason for the causation of GLE peak, the flare components procured insufficient amount of energy (≤～0.085 GeV) to produce a GLE. If the extreme emission phase of the flare is also considered as the dominator along GLE onset, the possible energy procurement (≤～0.414 GeV) is still not adequate to produce a GLE. In contrast, the CME-driven shock is capable of procuring enough possible relativistic energy (≥～1.21 GeV) that is sufficient amount of the energy for a GLE production. Any amount of the energy (<0.414 GeV) released from preceding flare components is supposed to have been contributed to the shock process. Thus, it is assumed that the GLE71 was possibly caused by the energy released from the shock acceleration, which might have been boosted by the energy emanated from preceding flare.     

Twenty-Seven-Day Variation of Galactic Cosmic Rays

Neutron monitor data observed at Climax (CL) and Huancayo/Haleakala (HU/HAL) have been used to calculate the amplitude A of the 27-day variation of galactic cosmic rays (CRs). The median primary rigidity of response, R _m, for these detectors encompasses the range 18 ≤R _m≤46 GV and the threshold rigidity R ₀ covers the range 2.97≤R ₀≤12.9 GV. The daily average values of CR counts have been harmonically analyzed for each Bartels solar rotation (SR) during the period 1953 – 2001. The amplitude of the 27-day CR variation is cross-correlated to solar activity as measured by the sunspot number R, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength B, the z-component B _z of the IMF vector, and the tilt angle ψ of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). It is anticorrelated to the solar coronal hole area (CHA) index as well as to the solar wind speed V. The wind speed V leads the amplitude by 24 SRs. The amplitude of the 27-day CR variation is better correlated to each of the these parameters during positive solar polarity (A>0) than during negative solar polarity (A<0) periods. The CR modulation differs during A>0 from that during A<0 owing to the contribution of the z-component of the IMF. It differs during A ₁>0 (1971 – 1980) from that during A ₂>0 (1992 – 2001) owing to solar wind speed.     

Upper cutoff of high energy solar protons

By studying the data from the worldwide neutron monitor network the spectra of most of the solar proton events in cycles 19–20 have been determined. These spectra are best represented by a power law with an upper cutoff R _m . This holds over a wide range in energy or rigidity. For the events examined R _m had values between 3 GV and 20 GV. It is shown that there is no correlation between R _m and the amplitude of the events.The equation describing continuous particle acceleration in a confining medium is solved in the non-stationary case. This solution shows the existence of a cutoff in the spectrum, and is compared with the experimental results in connection with the problem of particle acceleration time.Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.     

Cosmic-Ray Spectrum Approximation Model: Experimental Results and Comparison with Other Models

We discuss a model which parameterizes the cosmic-ray (CR) spectrum at different physical conditions, which include the most important effects controlling the CR intensity, like convection–diffusion and energy losses. By a suitable choice of parameters the proposed model results in two approximations: one close to a “force–field” model (describing the energy losses of CRs in the inner heliosphere) and a “convection–diffusion” equation (giving the reduction of CR intensity in the outer heliosphere). The BESS (Balloon-borne Experiment with Superconducting Spectrometer) experimental spectra of galactic protons and helium nuclei are fitted by the model spectra. The calculation of the unknown parameters is performed using a constrained least squares method as an alternative to the standard chi-square minimization method, because the data contain not only random errors, but also systematic ones. The CR spectrum approximation (CRSA) model is compared to the Moscow State University (MSU) model and the Badhwar and O’Neill (Badhwar and O’Neill, Adv. Space. Res. 14, 749, 1994; Adv. Space Res. 17, 7, 1994) model; we show that depending on the choice of the model parameters it can be examined in the context of one of these two models. We derive a relation between the parameters of the CRSA and MSU models for rigidities above about 10 GV (drift effects are ignored) during periods of low to approximately average levels of solar activity. The drawbacks of the proposed approximation are that: i) the model parameters do not depend on rigidity and ii) the model does not take into account general trends in the variations of the heliospheric magnetic field; thus, the influence of the drift effects on the shape of the spectral curves for different magnetic field polarity swings is ignored.     

Cosmic-Ray Variations During the Two Greatest Bursts of Solar Activity in the 23rd Solar Cycle

During two extreme bursts of solar activity in March–April 2001 and October–November 2003, the ground-based neutron monitor network recorded a series of outstanding events distinguished by their magnitude and unusual peculiarities. The important changes that lead to increased activity initiated not with the sunspot appearance, but with the large-scale solar magnetic field reconfiguration. A series of strong and moderate magnetic storms and powerful proton events (including ground-level enhancements, GLE) were registered during these periods. The largest and most productive in the 23rd solar cycle, active region 486, generated a significant series of solar flares among which the 4 November 2003 flare (X28/3B) was the most powerful X-ray solar event ever observed. The fastest arrival of the interplanetary disturbance from the Sun (after August 1972) and the highest solar wind velocity and IMF intensity were recorded during these events. Within 1 week, three GLEs of solar cosmic rays were registered by the neutron monitor network (28 and 29 October and 2 November 2003). In this work, we perform a tentative analysis of a number of the effects seen in cosmic rays during these two periods, using the neutron monitor network and other relevant data.     

Solar Proton Events and Fluctuations in the Density of Electrons Trapped Within the Earth's Magnetosphere

We present evidence for a correlation between solar proton events and fluctuations in the density of electrons trapped inside the Earth's magnetosphere. We examine 60 solar proton events and 53 solar proton enhancements, which took place between August 1989 and February 1999 (during solar cycles 22 and 23). It is found that 90% of the solar proton events and 85% of the solar proton enhancements are associated with fluctuations in the trapped electron density of the Earth's magnetosphere. Fifty percent of proton events occurred in complex regions. Ninety-six percent of the remaining events that occurred in simple solar active regions are associated with fluctuations of the electron density. We also examined 63 solar active regions with complex magnetic field configurations, which did not produce proton events. It is found that 57% of them were not associated with fluctuations in the trapped electron density during the period when their delta configurations existed on the solar disk. A total of 93 complex solar active regions occurred on the solar disk and 60% are associated with fluctuations of electron density. In this preliminary paper, we demonstrate the potential of invoking the correlation to improve the reliability of short-term predictions for proton events. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1017547923556     

Characteristics of Two-Way Cosmic-Ray Diurnal Anisotropy

We examine the deviation of the solar diurnal anisotropy vector from the 18 LT direction during the positive state of the solar cycle by assuming two anisotropies in free space. We use two detectors characterized by two linearly independent coupling functions. The median primary rigidity of response of these detectors covers the range 16 GV R _m 331 GV. Amplitude, direction, spectrum exponent, and the upper cut-off rigidity of each anisotropy have been calculated using the least-squares method over the time interval 1968–1988. This period covers a complete solar magnetic cycle. Only one anisotropy is dominant during each magnetic state of the solar cycle. The upper cut-off rigidity at which the dominant anisotropy vanishes varies between 50–250 GV. The direction of the dominant anisotropy vector points toward the 18 LT direction during the negative state of the solar cycle and toward earlier hours than 18 LT during the positive state. The non-dominant anisotropy is characterized by very high upper cut-off rigidity and sharper energy spectral.     

Intensity variation of cosmic rays near the heliospheric current sheet

Cosmic ray intensity variations near the heliospheric current sheet—both above and below it—have been studied during 1964–1976. Superposed epoch analysis of the cosmic ray neutron monitor data with respect to sector boundaries (i.e., heliospheric current sheet crossings) has been performed. In this analysis we have used the data from neutron monitors well distributed in latitude over the Earth's surface. First, this study has been made during the two solar activity minimum periods 1964–1965 and 1975–1976, using the data from Thule (cut-off rigidity 0 GV), Deep River (cut-off rigidity 1.02 GV), Rome (cut-off rigidity 6.32 GV) and Huancayo (cut-off rigidity 13.45 GV) neutron monitors. We have also analyzed the data from Deep River, Rome and Huancayo neutron monitors, for whom we have the data for full period (1964–1976), by dividing the periods according to the changes in solar activity, interplanetary magnetic field polarity and coronal holes. All these studies have shown a negative gradient with respect to heliomagnetic latitude (current sheet). These results have been discussed in the light of theoretical and observational evidences. Suggestions have been given to overcome the discrepancy between the observational and theoretical results. Further, possible explanations for these observational results have been suggested.     

The parent bodies of CR chondrites and their secondary history

Renazzo-type (CR) chondrites are a relatively rare group of carbonaceous chondrites with the vast majority having escaped thermal alteration. This means that CRs are composed of relatively unprocessed material, depending on the extent of aqueous alteration they have experienced. Hydration in CRs ranges from incipient alteration of matrix glass, up to nearly complete replacement of the rock by hydration products. The extent of secondary processes is often difficult to assess in these meteorites, due to their heterogeneity and diversity of alteration products. Yet, this is crucial in order to understand the extent of geological processing that occurred on the primary parent body. Additionally, the parent asteroids of CRs remain a mystery, mainly because terrestrial oxyhydroxide signatures dominate the reflectance spectra of CRs. In this work, we have conducted optical and IR reflectance and transmission spectra of 25 CR chondrites in order to (i) better evaluate the extent of aqueous alteration that occurred on the CR parent body, and (ii) find possible parent body candidates. Terrestrial oxyhydroxides were removed from 12 samples, as these tend to interfere with the optical-IR spectra of CRs. Our results suggest, among other, that (i) aqueous alteration in most of our CRs was limited to the matrix and (ii) most CRs may stem from a continuum of X-to-C complex asteroids, depending on their extent of aqueous alteration. More specifically, the endmembers being Xk/Xn types and Cgh/Ch types. This has strong implication in regard to what we can expect from the Psyche mission.     

Diffusion of cosmic rays in a multiphase interstellar medium swept-up by a supernova remnant blast wave

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are one of the most energetic astrophysical events and are thought to be the dominant source of Galactic cosmic rays (CRs). A recent report on observations from the Fermi satellite has shown a signature of pion decay in the gamma-ray spectra of SNRs. This provides strong evidence that high-energy protons are accelerated in SNRs. The actual gamma-ray emission from pion decay should depend on the diffusion of CRs in the interstellar medium. In order to quantitatively analyse the diffusion of high-energy CRs from acceleration sites, we have performed test particle numerical simulations of CR protons using a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation of an interstellar medium swept-up by a blast wave. We analyse the diffusion of CRs at a length scale of order a few pc in our simulated SNR, and find the diffusion of CRs is precisely described by a Bohm diffusion, which is required for efficient acceleration at least for particles with energies above 30 TeV for a realistic interstellar medium. Although we find the possibility of a superdiffusive process (travel distance ∝ t^0.75) in our simulations, its effect on CR diffusion at the length scale of the turbulence in the SNR is limited.     

Solar Energetic Particle Events with Protons Above 500 MeV Between 1995 and 2015 Measured with SOHO/EPHIN

The Sun is an effective particle accelerator that produces solar energetic particle (SEP) events, during which particles of up to several GeVs can be observed. These events, when they are observed at Earth with the neutron monitor network, are called ground-level enhancements (GLEs). Although these events with their high-energy component have been investigated for several decades, a clear relation between the spectral shape of the SEPs outside the Earth’s magnetosphere and the increase in neutron monitor count rate has yet to be established. Hence, an analysis of these events is of interest for the space weather and for the solar event community.In this article, SEP events with protons accelerated to above 500 MeV were identified using data obtained with the Electron Proton Helium Instrument (EPHIN) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) between 1995 and 2015. For a statistical analysis, onset times were determined for the events and the proton energy spectra were derived and fitted with a power law.As a result, we present a list of 42 SEP events with protons accelerated to above 500 MeV measured with the EPHIN instrument onboard SOHO. The statistical analysis based on the fitted spectral slopes and absolute intensities is discussed, with special emphasis on whether an event has been observed as a GLE. Furthermore, we are able to determine that the derived intensity at 500 MeV and the observed increase in neutron monitor count rate are correlated for a subset of events.     

The Global Context of Solar Activity During the Whole Heliosphere Interval Campaign

The Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI) was an international observing and modeling effort to characterize the 3-D interconnected ??heliophysical?? system during this solar minimum, centered on Carrington Rotation 2068, March 20??C?April 16, 2008. During the latter half of the WHI period, the Sun presented a sunspot-free, deep solar minimum type face. But during the first half of CR 2068 three solar active regions flanked by two opposite-polarity, low-latitude coronal holes were present. These departures from the quiet Sun led to both eruptive activity and solar wind structure. Most of the eruptive activity, i.e., flares, filament eruptions and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), occurred during this first, active half of the interval. We determined the source locations of the CMEs and the type of associated region, such as active region, or quiet sun or active region prominence. To analyze the evolution of the events in the context of the global solar magnetic field and its evolution during the three rotations centered on CR 2068, we plotted the CME source locations onto synoptic maps of the photospheric magnetic field, of the magnetic and chromospheric structure, of the white light corona, and of helioseismological subsurface flows. Most of the CME sources were associated with the three dominant active regions on CR 2068, particularly AR 10989. Most of the other sources on all three CRs appear to have been associated with either isolated filaments or filaments in the north polar crown filament channel. Although calculations of the flux balance and helicity of the surface magnetic features did not clearly identify a dominance of one region over the others, helioseismological subsurface flows beneath these active regions did reveal a pronounced difference among them. These preliminary results suggest that the ??twistedness?? (i.e., vorticity and helicity) of subsurface flows and its temporal variation might be related to the CME productivity of active regions, similar to the relationship between flares and subsurface flows.