The decay phase of solar flare events

A study of the properties of the cosmic radiation of energy - 10 MeV generated by solar flares is reported. Data from four Pioneer spacecraft in interplanetary orbits, and separated by 180° in heliocentric longitude are employed. Attention is restricted to the properties evident at times in excess of 1 day after the occurrence of the parent flare. The anisotropic character of the radiation; the gradients in heliocentric longitude; the decay time constants; and the energy spectra of the radiation are all studied in detail.It is found that the equilibrium anisotropy assumes a direction - 45° E of the satellite-Sun line at very late times. It is suggested that the anisotropy at such times is parallel to E × B. This observation confirms that convection is the determining process in the escape of the solar cosmic rays from the solar system. It indicates that a positive radial gradient of solar cosmic radiation density has builtup at orbit of Earth some 4 days after a flare. This results in an effective convective velocity of approximately 1/2 the solar wind velocity. Direct measurements indicate the presence of strong gradients in heliocentric longitude even at very late times ( 4 days). These gradients are essentially invariant with respect to time, e-folding angles of n - 30° have been observed at - 10 MeV. The presence of these gradients has a major effect on the temporal variation of the cosmic ray flux during the decay phase of the flare effect. Thus, the observed decay time constant is either increased or decreased relative to the convective value depending on the position of the observer relative to the centroid of the cosmic ray population injected by the flare. The effect of the gradient becomes more pronounced at lower energies, and may even exceed the convective removal rate. The observed decay time constant, the characteristics of the anisotropy, and the gradient in longitude are shown to be inter-related as demanded by theory. It is shown that the exponent of the cosmic ray spectrum is dependent on the location of the observer relative to the centroid of the cosmic ray population injected by the parent flare. At a given point in the frame of reference of the cosmic ray population, the spectral exponent is invariant with time.Now at CSIRO, G.P.O. Box 124, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia.On leave from Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India.     

The August 1972 cosmic ray storm. North-South anisotropies and related phenomena

In order to estimate the N-S anisotropy latitude gradient, the time variation of the direction of the N-S anisotropy during the August 1972 cosmic ray storms is measured using polar (Alert-Mc Murdo) and equatorial (Athens-Potchefstroom, S. Africa) neutron monitor stations. A maximum value of (43 ± 2)%/50° and a linear correlation between the measured polar and equatorial N-S anisotropies is obtained. The correlation between N-S anisotropy and: (1) the direction of the related shock wave, (2) the heliographic latitude of the related solar flare, (3) the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field, and (4) the K _p index has been checked.Presented at the 5th European Cosmic Ray Conference, Leeds, U.K.Now at Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, F.R.G.     

Solar-cycle evolution of the coronal general magnetic field of 1959–1974 and the synchronous variation of high-speed solar wind streams and galactic cosmic rays

The simultaneous enhancement or subsidence of both the high-speed solar wind streams and the galactic cosmic rays in the minimum or the maximum phase of the solar cycle are interpreted in a unified manner by the concept of geometrical evolution of the general magnetic field of the corona-heliomagnetosphere system. The coronal general magnetic field evolves from an open dipole-like configuration in the minimum phase to a closed configuration with many loop-like formations in the maximum phase of the solar cycle. This concept, developed in a theoretical solar-cycle model driven by the dynamo action of the global convection, is examined and found to be valid by studying the evolution of the coronal general magnetic field calculated from the observed surface general magnetic field of 1959–1974. It is also found that the energy density of the poloidal component of the general surface field, from which the coronal field originates, attained a maximum in the maximum phase and showed a evolution with virtually no phase delay with respect to that of the toroidal component of the field, to which the sunspot activity is related. The subsidence of the high-speed solar wind in the maximum phase is understood as a braking of the solar wind streams by the tightly closed and strong coronal field lines in the lower corona in the maximum phase. The field lines of the heliomagnetosphere, which originate from the coronal field lines drawn by the solar wind, are inferred to be also more tightly closed at the heliopause in the maximum phase than in the minimum phase. The decrease of the galactic cosmic rays in the maximum phase (known as the Forbush's negative correlation between the galactic cosmic ray intensity and the solar activity or the Forbush solar-cycle modulation of the galactic cosmic rays) is interpreted as a braking of the cosmic rays by the closed magnetic field lines at the heliopause. The observed phase lag (approximately one year) of the galactic cosmic ray modulation with respect to the evolution of the solar cycle, and the observed absence of the gradient of the total cosmic ray intensity between 1 AU and 8 AU, are discussed to support this view of the cosmic ray modulation at the remote heliopause, and reject other hypotheses to explain the phenomenon in terms of the magnetic irregularities of various kinds carried by the solar wind: The short-term Forbush decrease at a time of a flare shows that the magnetic irregularities can react on the cosmic rays relatively near the Sun if they even played a dominant role in the long-term modulation. The concept of the general magnetic field of the corona and the surface is also used to understand the basic nature of the surface field itself, by comparing the geometry of the calculated coronal field lines with the eclipse photographs of the corona, and by discussing, in the context of the coronal general magnetic field associated with the solar cycle, the process of the emergence of the coronal field lines from the interior and the formation of the transequatorial arches and loops connecting the two hemispheres in the corona.     

Stellar and solar flares

Some ideas are developed concerning solar flares which have been presented earlier by the author (Schatzman, 1966a). Emphasis is laid on the problem of energy transport; from the energy supply to the region of the optical flare, on the storage of low energy cosmic ray particles in a magnetic bottle before the beginning of the optical flare, and the mechanism which triggers both the optical flare, and the production of high-energy cosmic rays. The relation between solar and stellar flares is considered.Lecture given at Goddard Space Flight Center, November 4, 1966.     

The solar particle events of May 23 and May 28, 1967

McMath plage region 8818 passed over the visible solar disk on May 17–31, 1967. It was very active from its first appearance on the Eastern limb, several times producing bright optical flares and hard X-ray emission, accompanied by intense type II, type IV and centimeter radio bursts. Nevertheless, no solar particles could be detected near the earth until the evening of May 23, when three bright flares were observed in close succession at 25°–28° E. During the following build-up of the solar particle flux over 36 hours, the galactic cosmic ray flux > 1 GeV decreased gradually by about 5%. The flux of solar particles decreased in two steps on May 25, both accompanied by decreases in the equatorial geomagnetic field. These field depressions are attributed to storm plasma ejected from the parent flare of the May 23 particle event. The propagation of solar particles from May 23 on thus appears to be strongly affected by storm plasma from the parent flare of the May 23 event, without any indications of solar particles being trapped in that plasma.A later particle event early on May 28 was also associated with a bright flare in McMath region 8818, at 33° W. This event displayed a rapid build-up, with electrons arriving first, and an exponential decay. A smooth proton peak, 20 min wide, was detected on May 30 closely associated with an SSC attributed to plasma ejection from the parent flare of the May 28 event.Between the geomagnetic storms beginning on May 25 and May 30 an anomalous daily variation was observed in the cosmic ray flux >1 GeV, the time of maximum falling 7–10 hours earlier than normal. Storm time increases in the flux of galactic cosmic rays were seen on May 26 when the equatorial geomagnetic field was depressed by more than 400 . Low latitude auroras were also observed during that time.On leave from the University of Uppsala, Sweden.     

Three-Dimensional Geometry of Planar Magnetic Structure in the Corona

The coronal magnetic field (CMF) during Carrington rotation 1870 is inferred by using the so-called 'potential model' with the photospheric magnetic field observed at Kitt Peak. Magnetic field lines starting at areas restricted (90deg; ± 30deg; in longitude and 0deg; ± 20deg; in latitude) in both the photosphere and the source surface of 2.5 solar radii are traced to examine fine geometrical structures of the CMF. We found a well-ordered planar magnetic structure (PMS) near 90° Carrington longitude in the corona. The PMS consists of magnetic flux of negative polarity emanating from several small areas in the photosphere. The magnetic flux expands into a wide longitudinal angle in the source surface making a planar magnetic structure.     

Cosmic Ray Nonlinear Processes in Space Plasma: Applications to the Dynamic Heliosphere

Influence of cosmic ray pressure and kinetic stream instability on space plasma dynamics and magnetic structure are considered. It is shown that in the outer Heliosphere are important dynamics effects of galactic cosmic ray pressure on solar wind and interplanetary shock wave propagation as well as on the formation of terminal shock wave of the Heliosphere and subsonic region between Heliosphere and interstellar medium. Kinetic stream instability effects are important on distances more than 40–60 AU from the Sun: formation of great anisotropy of galactic cosmic rays in about spiral interplanetary magnetic field leads to the Alfven turbulence generation by non isotropic cosmic ray fluxes. Generated Alfven turbulence influences on cosmic ray propagation, increases the cosmic ray modulation, decreases the cosmic ray anisotropy and increases the cosmic ray pressure gradient in the outer Heliosphere (the later is also important for terminal shock wave formation). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evidence for a two-component injection of cosmic rays from the solar flare of 1969, March 30

The solar flare of 1969 March 30, occurring 20° behind the west limb, produced very extensive 80 MHz radio emission at the Sun, and gave rise to the deployment of cosmic radiation over 360°long, in interplanetary space. The wide spread of this event may reflect a similar spread of coronal magnetic fields from the flare site. We interpret the solar proton data recorded by spacecraft at two separate points both at 1 AU, in terms of a two-component injection of particles at the Sun consisting of: (i) a soft component which arrived promptly; (ii) a harder component which arrived later. The radio spectral and positional data provide evidence of shock waves which propagated far and wide from the flare; we attribute the precursor injection of the soft ( 10 MeV) proton component to one of these shock waves.Radiophysics Publication RPP 1590, May, 1972.Now at University of California, LASL, Los Alamos, N.M., U.S.A.     

Solar circumstances at the time of the cosmic ray increase on January 28, 1967

Solar circumstances have been evaluated for January 28, 1967, the date of an observed ground level enhancement of cosmic rays which was not preceded by observation of a suitably great Hα flare. On the visible solar hemisphere, a bright subflare at S23° E19° occurred in appropriate time association with the cosmic ray event, and was accompanied by weak X-ray enhancement and radio frequency emission. If this flare, alone, or in combination with other minor flares observed on the visible hemisphere on January 28 was the source of the energetic cosmic rays recorded on that date, then current thinking regarding the characteristics of cosmic ray flares must be modified. An initial study of probable circumstances on the invisible hemisphere did not lead to the immediate recognition of amajor center of activity as the probable source of a cosmic ray flare. Further evaluation of all centers of activity on the invisible hemisphere identified one region, McMath Plage No. 8687, 64° beyond the west limb, as the most plausible, possible site for the cosmic ray flare on January 28, 1967. The location of this region is in accord with the source-position deduced in Lockwood's analysis (1968) of the cosmic ray event. This center of activity could not have been more than 5 days old on January 28, 1967. The interval of major activity in the region was confined primarily to the invisible hemisphere. The occurrence of an ‘isolated’ major flare in the region on February 13, 1967 is discussed. The present study exemplifies the partial nature of solar observations which are limited to the visible hemisphere. The possible role of exceptional geomagnetic calm, 1963–1967, in permitting atypical cosmic ray enhancements, as on January 28, 1967, is mentioned.     

Energetic particles from the sun

This paper discusses solar cosmic ray phenomena and related topics from the solar physical point of view. Basic physics of the solar atmosphere and solar flare phenomena are, therefore, considered in some detail. Since solar cosmic rays are usually produced by solar flares, we must first understand the processes and mechanism of solar flares, especially the so-called proton flares, in order to understand the acceleration mechanism of solar cosmic rays and their behaviour in both the solar atmosphere and interplanetary space. For this reason, detailed discussion is given on various phenomena associated with solar flares, proton flare characteristics, and the mechanism of solar flares.Since the discovery of solar cosmic rays by Forbush, the interplanetary space has been thought of as medium in which solar cosmic rays propagate. In this paper, the propagation of solar cosmic rays in this space is, therefore, discussed briefly by referring to the observed magnetic properties of this space. Finally, some problems related to the physics of galactic cosmic rays are discussed.Astrophysics and Space Science Review Paper.     

The release of energetic particles from the Sun

A model is developed to account for the release of solar cosmic rays from the Sun. The solar atmosphere out to 3–5 solar radii above the photosphere is permeated with magnetic field lines which trap low rigidity ( 50 MV) flare particles. Plasma heated by the flare process disturbs the trapping field, and not until the disturbance reaches 3–5 solar radii can the low rigidity flare particles have access to interplanetary space. If the plasma is not heated sufficiently to overcome the coronal field, flare particles are trapped, efficiently. Subsequent leakage of these particles into interplanetary space forms corotating streams. Reference is made to satellite observations of solar electromagnetic radiation and charged particles.     

Anisotropy characteristics of low energy cosmic ray population of solar origin

Comparison of Explorer 34 observations on solar protons in the energy range 0.7–55 MeV with similar observations from other spacecrafts show that the large field aligned anisotropies which are observed during the rise time of a flare event change to an equilibrium anisotropy coming radially from the sunward direction due to the convective removal of the solar particles. At very late times during the decay (T 4 days) the anisotropy is observed to be from a direction 45° E of the satellite-Sun line which is interpreted as indicative of positive density gradient of solar cosmic ray population. The dependence of both types of equilibrium anisotropies on the energy and the velocity of the particles and on plasma velocity are shown to be in agreement with the theoretical predictions. The amplitude of the large field aligned anisotropies observed earlier in the event is found to be independent of the rise time of the event and to vary as (Vt)^–1.Interplanetary magnetic sector crossings during a flare event, cause abrupt changes in both the amplitude and phase of the non-equilibrium anisotropy whereas they have no significant effect on equilibrium anisotropy. The effect of azimuthal density gradients on the decay time constants of flare enhancements are also examined in an attempt to understand the complicated structures, often observed, in the time intensity profiles at low energies.Part of this work was done while the author was at the University of Texas as Dallas, U.S.A.Now at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.     

Interplanetary magnetic clouds and cosmic ray modulation

We studied the cosmic ray intensity variation due to interplanetary magnetic clouds during an unusual class of low amplitude anisotropic wave train events. The low amplitude anisotropic wave train events in cosmic ray intensity have been identified using the data of ground based Deep River neutron monitor and studied during the period 1981–1994. Even though the occurrence of low amplitude anisotropic wave trains does not depend on the onset of interplanetary magnetic clouds, but the possibility of occurrence of these events cannot be overlooked during the periods of the interplanetary magnetic cloud events. It is observed that the solar wind velocity remains higher (> 300) than normal and the interplanetary magnetic field B remains lower than normal on the onset of the interplanetary magnetic cloud during the passage of low amplitude wave trains. It is also noted that the proton density remains significantly low during high solar wind velocity, which is expected. The north south component of interplanetary magnetic field Bz turns southward to one day before the arrival of cloud and remains in the southward direction after the arrival of a cloud. During these events the cosmic ray intensity is found to increase with increase of solar wind velocity. The superposed epoch analysis of cosmic ray intensity for these events during the onset of interplanetary magnetic clouds reveals that the decrease in cosmic ray intensity starts not at the onset of the cloud but after a few days. The cosmic ray intensity increases on arrival of the magnetic cloud and decreases gradually after the passage of the magnetic cloud.     

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.     

Observation of solar particle fluxes over extended solar longitudes

Detailed particle observations from various Pioneer Spacecrafts located at different heliolongitudes during the complex solar flare events of March 30–April 10, 1969 have been utilised to investigate the energy dependence of azimuthal gradients of cosmic ray particles and its effect on the decay of the flare intensity. For an observer located to the east of the centroid of the population, the azimuthal corotation term and the convection term will be additive, resulting in a short decay time constant. An observer located to the west of the centroid of the population will experience a much longer decay time constant, the corotation term partially or completely compensating the loss of particles due to convection. At very low energies, the azimuthal corotation term may even be more than the convection term, thus resulting in a rise in intensity instead of decay during late in the event. Using the relationship showing the dependence of the spectral exponent of the cosmic ray flux late in a flare event on the azimuth from the centroid of the population given by McCracken et al., the energy dependence of the decay time constant and the cross-over energy at which the azimuthal gradient term equals the convection term are investigated. The experimental observations are shown to be generally consistent with the theoretical picture, confirming the importance of convection and the azimuthal gradient in determining the decay profile of flare events.On leave from Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India.Now at CSIRO, G.P.O. Box 136, North Ryde, N.S.W., Australia.     

Propagation effects in the hydrogen-to-helium ratio in the solar cosmic rays

Taking as basis my dimensional solution of the propagation equation of solar cosmic rays in interplanetary space and using the equivalent diffusion coefficient found from observed data on solar protons, I discuss the effects of propagation on the hydrogen-to-hellum ratio Including its variation with the speed of the solar wind and with location in space. After eliminating the variations with solar distance and energy from the HEOS and PIONEER data collected by Perron et al., this ratio will be seen to increase with the magnetic longitude of the parent flare. The Initial value of the hydrogen-to-helium ratio at the Sun's surface, obtained after applying the corrections for propagation, is close to the value in the solar wind.     

Motion of solar cosmic rays in the coronal magnetic field

Trajectories of solar cosmic rays have been calculated in a static ninth-order coronal magnetic field. It is found that as a result of field curvature and gradients, protons drift across the field lines at a rate of up to 200 ² deg hr^–1. These drift rates are of the same order as, but somewhat smaller than, empirically derived rates. Localized enhancements of magnetic field have been inserted into the ninth-order field in order to model (in a highly idealized manner) the effects of the small-scale magnetic features which give rise to X-ray bright points. The motions of the particles in the presence of these scattering centers can be parameterized approximately by a cross-field diffusion coefficient. Our estimates of this coefficient, although crude, overlap with empirical values which have been deduced over a wide range of energies.We propose that coronal propagation of solar cosmic rays has two components. One is independent of particle velocity, and is associated with dynamic field phenomena (such as an expanding magnetic bottle): this is the only component which is important in flares which occur close to the foot-point of the Sun-Earth field line. The second component is velocity dependent, but is independent of mass, and is associated with scattering off (relatively static) magnetic inhomogeneities with scale sizes of at least 500 km: the second component contributes to coronal propagation if the flare occurs more than about 50–60 deg away from the Sun-Earth field line.     

THE MOST VIOLENT SUPER-ACTIVE REGIONS IN THE 22nd AND 23rd CYCLES

We survey 14 super-active regions (SARs) in the 22nd cycle and 15 SARs in the 23rd cycle. Each produced major flares and major solar storms. Among them, the 25 most violent super active regions (VSARs) are selected based on five parameters: the largest area of sunspots, X-ray flare index (XRI), 10.7 cm radio flux, proton flux and geomagnetic A _p index. In order to understand the VSARs, we have investigated a few key magnetic properties of those regions, i.e., net magnetic flux, tilt angle and force-free parameter _best. The following results are found: (1) Most VSARs (84%) in our samples have net magnetic flux greater than 10²¹ Mx, implying that those are seriously unbalanced flux regions. Unbalanced flux active regions probably provide a nest to relate the small-scale to the large-scale magnetic field. (2) Most of the VSARs (68%) are of abnormal magnetic structure, violating the Hale–Nicholson Law. For most of the normal VSARs, the tilt angles are larger than 40°. 84% of the VSARs follow the hemispheric helicity rule. Generally, they have large magnetic twist and writhe helicity. (3) We also enlarge our samples to study the locations of VSARs by adding the top 10 of the major flares, proton events and severe magnetic storms from 1976 to 2001. It is found that 77% in our 30 samples of VSARs were preferentially located in 4 longitude bands, i.e., l _c=80°±15° l _c=170°±15° l _c=260°±15° and l _c=350°±15°. The interval of those longitude bands is roughly 90°. From the above results, we suggest that there probably is a special magnetic environment in the sub-photosphere of the four longitude bands where it is preferred to produce abnormal and complex active regions which easily produce major flares and major solar storms. Area, magnetic class, net magnetic flux, Carrington longitude and tilt angle of an active region may serve to predict likelihood of the active region producing hazarded space weather.     

Evidence for a cosmic ray gradient perpendicular to the solar equatorial plane

A study has been made of the yearly variation of the cosmic ray intensity for the years 1961–67 inclusive using pressure corrected neutron monitor data from both hemispheres to minimize seasonal meteorological effects. An annual wave is found in the data with an amplitude which varied between 0.2 and 1.0 per cent during the period but which had a sensibly constant phase, the time of maximum being in March. These observations, which are shown to be consistent with the observed heliolatitude distribution of coronal 5303Å emission, indicate the existence of a southerly directed asymmetrical gradient of up to 8 per cent perpendicular to the solar equatorial plane. It is found that the cosmic ray intensity at the Earth is controlled by the solar activity in a narrow band of heliolatitudes ±10° or ±20° centred at the heliolatitude of the Earth. Also, the results indicate that there was a phase lag of 1 ± 1 month between solar activity and the resulting changes in the cosmic ray intensity at the Earth giving a radius for the modulating region of ? 10 A.U. during the period of low solar activity considered.     

On the Relationship of the 27-day Variations of the Solar Wind Velocity and Galactic Cosmic Ray Intensity in Minimum Epoch of Solar Activity

We study the relationship of the 27-day variations of the galactic cosmic ray intensity with similar variations of the solar wind velocity and the interplanetary magnetic field based on observational data for the Bartels rotation period # 2379 of 23 November 2007 – 19 December 2007. We develop a three-dimensional (3-D) model of the 27-day variation of galactic cosmic ray intensity based on the heliolongitudinally dependent solar wind velocity. A consistent, divergence-free interplanetary magnetic field is derived by solving Maxwell’s equations with a heliolongitudinally dependent 27-day variation of the solar wind velocity reproducing in situ observations. We consider two types of 3-D models of the 27-day variation of galactic cosmic ray intensity, i) with a plane heliospheric neutral sheet, and ii) with the sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field. The theoretical calculations show that the sector structure does not significantly influence the 27-day variation of galactic cosmic ray intensity, as had been shown before, based on observational data. Furthermore, good agreement is found between the time profiles of the theoretically expected and experimentally obtained first harmonic waves of the 27-day variation of the galactic cosmic ray intensity (with a correlation coefficient of 0.98±0.02). The expected 27-day variation of the galactic cosmic ray intensity is inversely correlated with the modulation parameter ζ (with a correlation coefficient of −0.91±0.05), which is proportional to the product of the solar wind velocity V and the strength of the interplanetary magnetic field B (ζ∼VB). The high anticorrelation between these quantities indicates that the predicted 27-day variation of the galactic cosmic ray intensity mainly is caused by this basic modulation effect.