Fine Structure of Solar Radio Bursts Observed at Decametric and Hectometric Waves

The analysis of WIND/WAVES RAD2 spectra with fine structure in the form of different fibers in 14 events covering 1997?–?2005 is carried out. A splitting of broad bands of the interplanetary (IP) type II bursts into narrow band fibers of different duration is observed. The instantaneous-frequency bandwidth of fibers is stable: 200?–?300 kHz for slow-drifting fibers in type II bursts, and 700?–?1000 kHz for fast-drifting fibers in type II?+?IV (continuum). Intermediate drift bursts (IDB or fiber bursts) and zebra patterns with variable frequency drift of stripes, typical for the metric range, were not found. Comparison of spectra with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (SOHO/LASCO C2) images shows a connection of the generation of the fiber structures with the passage of shock fronts through narrow jets in the wake of Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). Therefore the most probable emission mechanism of fibers in IP type II bursts appears to be resonance transition radiation (RTR) of fast particles at the boundary of two media with different refractive indices. The same mechanism is also valid for striae in the type III bursts. Taking into account a high-density contrast in the CME wake and the actually observed small-scale inhomogeneities, the effectiveness of the RTR mechanism in IP space must be considerably higher than in the meter or decimeter wavelengths. For the most part the fibers in the type IV continuum at frequencies of 14?–?8 MHz were seen as the direct expansion of similar fine structure (as fibers or “herringbone” structure) in the decametric range observed with the Nançay and IZMIRAN spectrographs.     

Development of Coronal Mass Ejections: Radio Shock Signatures

We present observational imaging evidence for the existence of metric radio bursts closely associated with the front edge of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These radio bursts drift in frequency similarly to type II bursts. They are weak and usually go undetected on spectrograph data. We find the same measured projected velocity for the displacement of, respectively, the radio source (when observed at two or more frequencies) and the CME leading edge. The position of the emitting source coincides with the CME leading edge. Among the events analyzed, the fastest of them, with a velocity over 1400 km s-1, was associated with interplanetary type II bursts.     

Origin of Radio Enhancements in Type II Bursts in the Outer Corona

We study interplanetary (IP) solar radio type II bursts from 2011?–?2014 in order to determine the cause of the intense enhancements in their radio emission. Type II bursts are known to be due to propagating shocks that are often associated with fast halo-type coronal mass ejections (CMEs). We analysed the radio spectral data and the white-light coronagraph data from 16 selected events to obtain directions and heights for the propagating CMEs and the type II bursts. CMEs preceding the selected events were included in the analysis to verify whether CME interaction was possible. As a result, we were able to classify the events into five different groups. 1) Events where the heights of the CMEs and type II bursts are consistent, indicating that the shock is located at the leading front of the CME. The radio enhancements are superposed on the type II lanes, and they are probably formed when the shock meets remnant material from earlier CMEs, but the shock continues to propagate at the same speed. 2) Events where the type II heights agree with the CME leading front and an earlier CME is located at a height that suggests interaction. The radio enhancements and frequency jumps could be due to the merging process of the CMEs. 3) Events where the type II heights are significantly lower than the CME heights almost from the start. Interaction with close-by streamers is probably the cause for the enhanced radio emission, which is located at the CME flank region. 4) Events where the radio enhancements are located within wide-band type II bursts and the causes for the radio enhancements are not clear. 5) Events where the radio enhancements are associated with later-accelerated particles (electron beams, observed as type III bursts) that stop at the type II burst emission lane, and no other obvious reason for the enhancement can be identified.Most of the events (38%) were due to shock–streamer interaction, while one quarter of the events was due to possible CME–CME interaction. The drift rates, bandwidth characteristics, or cross-correlations of various characteristics did not reveal any clear association with particular category types. The chosen atmospheric density model causes the largest uncertainties in the derived radio heights, although in some cases, the emission bandwidths also lead to relatively large error margins.Our conclusion is that the enhanced radio emission associated with CMEs and propagating shocks can have different origins, depending on their overall configuration and the associated processes.     

Type II bursts in Meter and Decameter – Hectometer Wavelength Ranges and Their Relation to Flares and CMEs

Statistical analysis of the relationship between type II radio bursts appearing in the metric (m) and decameter-to-hectometer (DH) wavelength ranges is presented. The associated X-ray flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are also reported. The sample is divided into two classes using the frequency-drift plots: Class I, representing those events where DH-type-II bursts are not continuation of m-type-II bursts and Class II, where the DH-type-II bursts are extensions of m-type-II bursts. Our study consists of three steps: i) comparison of characteristics of the Class I and II events; ii) correlation of m-type-II and DH-type-II burst characteristics with X-ray flare properties and iii) correlation of m-type-II and DH-type-II burst characteristics with CME properties. We have found no clear correlation between properties of m-type-II bursts and DH-type-II bursts. For example, there is no correlation between drift rates of m-type-II bursts and DH-type-II bursts. Similarly there is no correlation between their starting frequencies. In Class I events we found correlations between X-ray flare characteristics and properties of m-type-II bursts and there is no correlation between flare parameters and DH-type-II bursts. On the other hand, the correlation between CME parameters and m-type-II bursts is very weak, but it is good for CME parameters and DH-type-II bursts. These results indicate that Class I m-type-II bursts are related to the energy releases in flares, whereas DH-type-II bursts tend to be related to CMEs. On the contrary, for Class II events in the case of m-type-II and DH-type-II bursts we have found no clear correlation between both flare and CMEs.     

Coronal Shocks of November 1997 Revisited: The Cme–Type II Timing Problem

We re-examine observations bearing on the origin of metric type II bursts for six impulsive solar events in November 1997. Previous analyses of these events indicated that the metric type IIs were due to flares (either blast waves or ejecta). Our point of departure was the study of Zhang et al. (2001) based on the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraphs C1 instrument (occulting disk at 1.1 R₀) that identified the rapid acceleration phase of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) with the rise phase of soft X-ray light curves of associated flares. We find that the inferred onset of rapid CME acceleration in each of the six cases occurred 1–3 min before the onset of metric type II emission, in contrast to the results of previous studies for certain of these events that obtained CME launch times 25–45 min earlier than type II onset. The removal of the CME-metric type II timing discrepancy in these events and, more generally, the identification of the onset of the rapid acceleration phase of CMEs with the flare impulsive phase undercuts a significant argument against CMEs as metric type II shock drivers. In general, the six events exhibited: (1) ample evidence of dynamic behavior [soft X-ray ejecta, extreme ultra-violet imaging telescope (EIT) dimming onsets, and wave initiation (observed variously in H, EUV, and soft X-rays)] during the inferred fast acceleration phases of the CMEs, consistent with the cataclysmic disruption of the low solar atmosphere one would expect to be associated with a CME; and (2) an organic relationship between EIT dimmings (generally taken to be source regions of CMEs) and EIT waves (which are highly associated with metric type II bursts) indicative of a CME-driver scenario. Our analysis indicates that the broad (90 to halo) CMEs observed in the outer LASCO coronagraphs for these impulsive events began life as relatively small-scale structures, with angular spans of 15 in the low corona. A review of on-going work bearing on other aspects (than timing) of the question of the origin of metric type II bursts (CME association; connectivity of metric and decametric-hectometric type II shocks; spatial relationship between CMEs and metric shocks) leads to the conclusion that CMEs remain a strong candidate to be the principal/sole driver of metric type II shocks vis-à-vis flare blast waves/ejecta.     

The Relation Between Large-Scale Coronal Propagating Fronts and Type II Radio Bursts

Large-scale, wave-like disturbances in extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and type II radio bursts are often associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Both phenomena may signify shock waves driven by CMEs. Taking EUV full-disk images at an unprecedented cadence, the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory has observed the so-called EIT waves or large-scale coronal propagating fronts (LCPFs) from their early evolution, which coincides with the period when most metric type II bursts occur. This article discusses the relation of LCPFs as captured by AIA with metric type II bursts. We show examples of type II bursts without a clear LCPF and fast LCPFs without a type II burst. Part of the disconnect between the two phenomena may be due to the difficulty in identifying them objectively. Furthermore, it is possible that the individual LCPFs and type II bursts may reflect different physical processes and external factors. In particular, the type II bursts that start at low frequencies and high altitudes tend to accompany an extended arc-shaped feature, which probably represents the 3D structure of the CME and the shock wave around it, and not just its near-surface track, which has usually been identified with EIT waves. This feature expands and propagates toward and beyond the limb. These events may be characterized by stretching of field lines in the radial direction and may be distinct from other LCPFs, which may be explained in terms of sudden lateral expansion of the coronal volume. Neither LCPFs nor type II bursts by themselves serve as necessary conditions for coronal shock waves, but these phenomena may provide useful information on the early evolution of the shock waves in 3D when both are clearly identified in eruptive events.     

A positional comparison between coronal mass ejection events and solar type II bursts

An investigation is made to determine the positional relation between the leading edge of the coronal mass ejection (CME) and the source region of associated solar type II radio bursts. A preliminary relation between the optical and radio activity was first established for each event using projected starting times and positional data. Height - time plots were then deduced for the radio activity using radiospectrograph observations in conjunction with a variety of coronal density models. These plots were then compared with height - time plots for the leading edge of the associated CME events, which has been observed with the SOLWIND experiment aboard the P78-1 satellite. In 31 well-observed events a total of 13 (42%) had type II bursts which could confidently be placed near the leading edge of the CME. In these events the density model which gave the best agreement between CME and type II positions was five times the Saito (1970) quiet Sun model. The existence of these closely related events was further confirmed by direct positional comparisons for the event of 1979, May 4. In a further nine events the type II burst was seen within the CME but was located well behind the leading edge, suggesting that they were created by a blast wave. The remaining nine events had height - time plots which could not be accurately compared. The observations are discussed in relation to models for the CME and type II activity. We suggest that the type II is generated when the shock wave is formed within the closed field structure near the leading edge of the CME or, in the case of a blast wave, interacts with closed fields in the body of the transient.     

Coronal Shocks Associated with Impulsive and Decaying Phases of Solar Flares

We have analyzed a set of 147 metric Type II radio bursts observed by Culgoora radio spectrograph from November 1997 to December 2006. These events were divided into two sets: The first subset contains Type II events that started during the impulsive phase of the associated solar flares and the second subset contains those starting during the decaying phase of flares. Our main aim is to differentiate the metric Type IIs, flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) of these two subsets. It is found that while Type II burst characteristics of both subsets are very similar, there are significant differences between flare and CME properties for these two subsets. Considering all analyzed relationships between the characteristics of Type IIs, flares and CMEs in these two Type II subsets, we conclude that most of the coronal shocks causing metric Type II bursts are driven by CMEs, but that a fraction of events are probably ignited by solar flares.     

Studies on metric–decimetric Type II bursts in relation to soft X-ray flares

The relationship between metric type II radio bursts and soft X-ray (SXR) flares is studied. Type II bursts are highly associated with SXR flares. The duration and drift rate of type II bursts are found to depend on the duration, asymmetry in duration (ratio of rise time to duration), as well as on the peak flux of SXR bursts. Important results obtained are: (i) the durations of type II bursts are linearly correlated with the durations of associated SXR bursts in case of long-lived events (duration >40 min), whereas in short-lived flares such a correlation is not found, (ii) the durations of type II bursts do not depend upon the SXR peak flux, (iii) more durable type II radio bursts are correlated with more symmetric SXR bursts, (iv) average drift rates of type II bursts are larger in the events associated with more powerful and more symmetric SXR bursts.     

Characteristics of shock-associated fast-drift kilometric radio bursts

The existence of a class of fast-drift, shock-associated (SA), kilometric radio bursts which occur at the time of metric type II emission and which are not entirely the kilometric continuation of metric type III bursts has been reported previously (Cane et al., 1981). In this paper, we establish unambiguous SA event criteria for the purpose of statistically comparing SA events with conventional kilometric type III bursts. We apply these criteria to all long-duration, fast-drift bursts observed by the ISEE-3 spacecraft during a 28-month interval and find that more than 70% of the events satisfying the criteria are associated with the radio signatures of coronal shocks. If a given event in our sample is associated with a metric type II or type IV burst, it is 13 times more likely to satisfy the SA criteria than an event associated only with metric type III activity. Compared with conventional kilometric type III bursts, the characteristics of these SA events are longer duration, higher maximum intensity, and a larger number of components. Differences in these characteristics for the two classes of events are not sufficient to distinguish all SA events from conventional type III bursts. The consistent lack of reported metric type III activity during the latter part of the candidate events suggests that some of the electrons are accelerated high in the corona, at or near the altitude of the shock.     

Propagation of Fast Coronal Mass Ejections and Shock Waves Associated with Type II Radio-Burst Emission: An Analytic Study

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large-scale eruptive events in the solar corona. Once they are expelled into the interplanetary (IP) medium, they propagate outwards and “evolve” interacting with the solar wind. Fast CMEs associated with IP shocks are a critical subject for space weather investigations. We present an analytic model to study the heliocentric evolution of fast CME/shock events and their association with type II radio-burst emissions. The propagation model assumes an early stage where the CME acts as a piston driving a shock wave; beyond this point the CME decelerates, tending to match the ambient solar wind speed and its shock decays. We use the shock speed evolution to reproduce type II radio-burst emissions. We analyse four fast CME halo events that were associated with kilometric type II radio bursts, and in-situ measurements of IP shock and CME signatures. The results show good agreement with the dynamic spectra of the type II frequency drifts and the in-situ measurements. This suggests that, in general, IP shocks associated with fast CMEs evolve as blast waves approaching 1 AU, implying that the CMEs do not drive their shocks any further at this heliocentric range.     

Characteristics of flares producing metric type II bursts and coronal mass ejections

We attempt to study the origin of coronal shocks by comparing several flare characteristics for two groups of flares: those with associated metric type II bursts and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and those with associated metric type II bursts but no CMEs. CMEs accompany about 60% of all flares with type II bursts for solar longitudes greater than 30°, where CMEs are well observed with the NRL Solwind coronagraph. H flare areas, 1–8 Å X-ray fluxes, and impulsive 3 cm fluxes are all statistically smaller for events with no CMEs than for events with CMEs. It appears that both compact and large mass ejection flares are associated with type II bursts. The events with no CMEs imply that at least many type II shocks are not piston-driven, but the large number of events of both groups with small 3 cm bursts does not support the usual assumption that type II shocks are produced by large energy releases in flare impulsive phases. The poor correlation between 3 cm burst fluxes and the occurrence of type II bursts may be due to large variations in the coronal Alfvén velocity.Sachs/Freeman Associates, Inc., Bowie, MD 20715, U.S.A.     

Comparative Analysis of Type ii Bursts and of Thermal and non-Thermal Flare Signatures

The relationship between metric type II radio bursts and solar flares is studied. Well-defined correlations between the properties of type II bursts and the characteristics of associated microwave and soft X-ray bursts are established in two entirely independent data sets. It is shown that the correlations are strongly affected by the wide range of coronal Alfvén velocities involved, comprising values from only 150 up to 800 km s^–1, with a typical value of 400 km s^–1. After careful data analysis it was inferred that type II bursts are more closely related to the soft X-ray bursts than they are to microwave bursts. The correlations indicate that type II burst shocks are preferably generated by flares with a relatively strong thermal component, and that the shocks are probably ignited by the plasma expansion associated with the 'evaporation' process in the transition region. Although the results imply that the majority of metric type II bursts are caused by flares, a simple geometrical consideration shows that a fraction of non-flare type II bursts cannot be explained by behind-limb events and that roughly 10% of metric type II bursts should be attributed to non-flare coronal mass ejections.     

On the origin of solar metric type II bursts

The vast majority of solar flares are not associated with metric Type II radio bursts. For example, for the period February 1980–July 1982, corresponding to the first two and one-half years of the Solar Maximum Mission, 95% of the 2500 flares with peak >25 keV count rates >100 c s^–1lacked associated Type II emission. Even the 360 largest flares, i.e., those having >25 keV peak count rates >1000 c s^–1, had a Type II association rate of only 24%. The lack of a close correlation between flare size and Type II occurrence implies the need for a 'special condition' that distinguishes flares that are accompanied by metric Type II radio bursts from those of comparable size that are not. The leading candidates for this special condition are: (1) an unusually low Alfvén speed in the flaring region; and (2) fast material motion. We present evidence based on SMM and GOES X-ray data and Solwind coronagraph data that argues against the first of these hypotheses and supports the second. Type II bursts linked to flares within 30° of the solar limb are well associated (64%; 49/76) with fast (>400 km s^–1) coronal mass ejections (CMEs); for Type II flares within 15° of the limb, the association rate is 79% (30/38). An examination of the characteristics of 'non-CME' flares associated with Type IIs does not support the flare-initiated blast wave picture that has been proposed for these events and suggests instead that CMEs may have escaped detection. While the degree of Type II–CME association increases with flare size, there are notable cases of small Type II flares whose outstanding attribute is a fast CME. Thus we argue that metric Type II bursts (as well as the Moreton waves and kilometric Type II bursts that may accompany them) have their root cause in fast coronal mass ejections.     

Shock-associated kilometric radio emission and solar metric type II bursts

We present statistics relating shock-associated (SA) kilometric bursts (Cane et al., 1981) to solar metric type II bursts. An SA burst is defined here to be any 1980 kHz emission temporally associated with a reported metric type II burst and not temporally associated with a reported metric type III burst. In this way we extend to lower flux densities and shorter durations the original SA concept of Cane et al. About one quarter of 316 metric type II bursts were not accompanied by any 1980 kHz emission, another quarter were accompanied by emission attributable to preceding or simultaneous type III bursts, and nearly half were associated with SA bursts. We have compared the time profiles of 32 SA bursts with Culgoora Observatory dynamic spectral records of metric type II bursts and find that the SA emission is associated with the most intense and structured part of the metric type II burst. On the other hand, the generally poor correlation found between SA burst profiles and Sagamore Hill Observatory 606 and 2695 MHz flux density profiles suggests that most SA emission is not due to energetic electrons escaping from the microwave emission region. These results support the interpretation that SA bursts are the long wavelength extension of type II burst herringbone emission, which is presumed due to the shock acceleration of electrons.Also: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, U.S.A.     

Relation Between Type II Bursts and CMEs Inferred from STEREO Observations

The inner coronagraph (COR1) of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission has made it possible to observe CMEs in the spatial domain overlapping with that of the metric type II radio bursts. The type II bursts were associated with generally weak flares (mostly B and C class soft X-ray flares), but the CMEs were quite energetic. Using CME data for a set of type II bursts during the declining phase of solar cycle 23, we determine the CME height when the type II bursts start, thus giving an estimate of the heliocentric distance at which CME-driven shocks form. This distance has been determined to be ～1.5R _s (solar radii), which coincides with the distance at which the Alfvén speed profile has a minimum value. We also use type II radio observations from STEREO/WAVES and Wind/WAVES observations to show that CMEs with moderate speed drive either weak shocks or no shock at all when they attain a height where the Alfvén speed peaks (～3R _s?–?4R _s). Thus the shocks seem to be most efficient in accelerating electrons in the heliocentric distance range of 1.5R _s to 4R _s. By combining the radial variation of the CME speed in the inner corona (CME speed increase) and interplanetary medium (speed decrease) we were able to correctly account for the deviations from the universal drift-rate spectrum of type II bursts, thus confirming the close physical connection between type II bursts and CMEs. The average height (～1.5R _s) of STEREO CMEs at the time of type II bursts is smaller than that (2.2R _s) obtained for SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) CMEs. We suggest that this may indicate, at least partly, the density reduction in the corona between the maximum and declining phases, so a given plasma level occurs closer to the Sun in the latter phase. In two cases, there was a diffuse shock-like feature ahead of the main body of the CME, indicating a standoff distance of 1R _s?–?2R _s by the time the CME left the LASCO field of view.     

Heights of Coronal Mass Ejections and Shocks Inferred from Metric and DH Type II Radio Bursts

A set of 27 continuous events that showed extension of metric Type-II radio bursts (m-Type IIs) into the deca–hectometric (DH) domain is considered. The coronal mass ejections (CMEs) associated with this type of continuous event supply more energy to produce space-weather effects than the CMEs that produce Type-II bursts in any one region. Since the heights of shock formation at the start of m-Type IIs were not available from observations, they were estimated using kinematic modeling in previous studies. In the present study, the heights of shock formation during metric and DH Type-II bursts are determined using two methods: i) the CME leading-edge method and ii) a method employing known electron-density models and start/end frequencies. In the first method, assuming that the shocks are generated by the associated CMEs at the leading edge, the height of the CME leading edge (LE) is calculated at the onset and end of m-Type IIs using the kinematic equation with constant acceleration or constant speed. The LE heights of CMEs that are assumed to be the heights of shock formation/end of nearly 79% of m-Type IIs are found to be within the acceptable range of \(1\,\mbox{--}\,3~\mbox{R}_{\odot}\). For other events, the heights are beyond this range, for which the shocks might either have been generated at the CME flanks/flare-blast waves, or the initial CME height might have been different. The CME/shock height at the onset and end of 17 DH Type IIs are found to be in the range of \(2\,\mbox{--}\,6~\mbox{R}_{\odot}\) and within \(30~\mbox{R}_{\odot}\), respectively. In addition, the CME LE heights from observations at the onset and end of metric/DH Type IIs are compared with the heights corresponding to the observed frequency that is determined using the known electron-density models, and they are in agreement with the model results. The heights are also estimated using the space speed available for 15 halo CMEs, and it is found that the difference is smaller at the m-Type II start/end (0.02 to \(0.66~\mbox{R}_{\odot}\)) and slightly greater at the DH Type II end (0.19 to \(1.94~\mbox{R}_{\odot}\)). Finally, the possibility of CME–streamer interactions at the start of DH Type IIs is checked, and it is found that many of the events with streamers have lower start frequencies. In addition, these results are discussed in comparison with the values reported in the literature. This study will be useful to find the source region of metric and DH Type IIs and to understand the CME-shock propagation.     

Particle Acceleration and Propagation in Strong Flares without Major Solar Energetic Particle Events

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) detected in space are statistically associated with flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). But it is not clear how these processes actually contribute to the acceleration and transport of the particles. The present work addresses the question why flares accompanied by intense soft X-ray bursts may not produce SEPs detected by observations with the GOES spacecraft. We consider all X-class X-ray bursts between 1996 and 2006 from the western solar hemisphere. 21 out of 69 have no signature in GOES proton intensities above 10 MeV, despite being significant accelerators of electrons, as shown by their radio emission at cm wavelengths. The majority (11/20) has no type III radio bursts from electron beams escaping towards interplanetary space during the impulsive flare phase. Together with other radio properties, this indicates that the electrons accelerated during the impulsive flare phase remain confined in the low corona. This occurs in flares with and without a CME. Although GOES saw no protons above 10 MeV at geosynchronous orbit, energetic particles were detected in some (4/11) confined events at Lagrangian point L1 aboard ACE or SoHO. These events have, besides the confined microwave emission, dm-m wave type II and type IV bursts indicating an independent accelerator in the corona. Three of them are accompanied by CMEs. We conclude that the principal reason why major solar flares in the western hemisphere are not associated with SEPs is the confinement of particles accelerated in the impulsive phase. A coronal shock wave or the restructuring of the magnetically stressed corona, indicated by the type II and IV bursts, can explain the detection of SEPs when flare-accelerated particles do not reach open magnetic field lines. But the mere presence of these radio signatures, especially of a metric type II burst, is not a sufficient condition for a major SEP event.     

Origin of the Multiple Metric Type II Radio Burst Structure Associated with the 2002 July 23 CME

We report on the analysis of a fast (>2,000 km/s) CME-driven shock event observed with the UVCS telescope operating aboard SoHO on 23 July 2002. The same shock was also detected in the metric band by several ground-based radiospectrographs. The peculiarity of this event is the presence in the radio spectra of two intense metric type II bursts features drifting at different rates, together with clear shock/related broadenings of the O VI doublet lines observed by UVCS that were found to be temporally associated with the above radio features. The nature of these multiple radio lanes in the metric band is still under debate. One possible explanation is that they are produced by multiple shock waves generated by different ejections or, alternatively, by the flare and the associated CME. Also, emission from the upstream and downstream shock regions can produce split bands. By adopting a plausible CME model, together with a detailed analysis of the white-light, UV, and radio data associated with this event, we are able to conclude that both the radio and the UV shock signatures were produced by a single shock wave surface generated by the expanding CME.     

Statistical Analysis of Solar Events Associated with Storm Sudden Commencements over One Year of Solar Maximum During Cycle 23: Propagation from the Sun to the Earth and Effects

Taking the 32 storm sudden commencements (SSCs) listed by the International Service of Geomagnetic Indices (ISGI) of the Observatory de l’Ebre during 2002 (solar activity maximum in Cycle 23) as a starting point, we performed a multi-criterion analysis based on observations (propagation time, velocity comparisons, sense of the magnetic field rotation, radio waves) to associate them with solar sources, identified their effects in the interplanetary medium, and looked at the response of the terrestrial ionized and neutral environment. We find that 28 SSCs can be related to 44 coronal mass ejections (CMEs), 15 with a unique CME and 13 with a series of multiple CMEs, among which 19 (68%) involved halo CMEs. Twelve of the 19 fastest CMEs with speeds greater than 1000 km?s^?1 are halo CMEs. For the 44 CMEs, including 21 halo CMEs, the corresponding X-ray flare classes are: 3 X-class, 19 M-class, and 22 C-class flares. The probability for an SSC to occur is 75% if the CME is a halo CME. Among the 500, or even more, front-side, non-halo CMEs recorded in 2002, only 23 could be the source of an SSC, i.e. 5%. The complex interactions between two (or more) CMEs and the modification of their trajectories have been examined using joint white-light and multiple-wavelength radio observations. The detection of long-lasting type IV bursts observed at metric–hectometric wavelengths is a very useful criterion for the CME–SSC events association. The events associated with the most depressed Dst values are also associated with type IV radio bursts. The four SSCs associated with a single shock at L1 correspond to four radio events exhibiting characteristics different from type IV radio bursts. The solar-wind structures at L1 after the 32 SSCs are 12 magnetic clouds (MCs), 6 interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) without an MC structure, 4 miscellaneous structures, which cannot unambiguously be classified as ICMEs, 5 corotating or stream interaction regions (CIRs/SIRs), one CIR caused two SSCs, and 4 shock events; note than one CIR caused two SSCs. The 11 MCs listed in 3 or more MC catalogs covering the year 2002 are associated with SSCs. For the three most intense geomagnetic storms (based on Dst minima) related to MCs, we note two sudden increases of the Dst, at the arrival of the sheath and the arrival of the MC itself. In terms of geoeffectiveness, the relation between the CME speed and the magnetic-storm intensity, as characterized using the Dst magnetic index, is very complex, but generally CMEs with velocities at the Sun larger than 1000 km?s^?1 have larger probabilities to trigger moderate or intense storms. The most geoeffective events are MCs, since 92% of them trigger moderate or intense storms, followed by ICMEs (33%). At best, CIRs/SIRs only cause weak storms. We show that these geoeffective events (ICMEs or MCs) trigger an increased and combined auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) and non-thermal continuum (NTC) wave activity in the magnetosphere, an enhanced convection in the ionosphere, and a stronger response in the thermosphere. However, this trend does not appear clearly in the coupling functions, which exhibit relatively weak correlations between the solar-wind energy input and the amplitude of various geomagnetic indices, whereas the role of the southward component of the solar-wind magnetic field is confirmed. Some saturation appears for Dst values \(< -100\) nT on the integrated values of the polar and auroral indices.