The First Ground-Level Enhancement of Solar Cycle 24 on 17 May 2012 and Its Real-Time Detection

Ground-level enhancements (GLEs) are defined as sudden increases in the recorded intensity of cosmic-ray particles, usually by neutron monitors (NMs). In this work we present a time-shifting analysis (TSA) for the first arriving particles that were detected at Earth by NMs. We also present an automated real-time GLE alert that has been developed and is operating via the Neutron Monitor Database (NMDB), which successfully identified the 17 May 2012 event, designated as GLE71. We discuss the time evolution of the real-time GLE alert that was issued for GLE71 and present the event onset-time for NMs that contributed to this GLE alert based on their archived data. A comparison with their real-time time-stamp was made to illustrate the necessity for high-resolution data (e.g. 1-min time resolution) made available at every minute. The first results on the propagation of relativistic protons that have been recorded by NMs, as inferred by the TSA, imply that they are most probably accelerated by the coronal-mass-ejection-driven shock. Furthermore, the successful usage of NM data and the corresponding achievement of issuing a timely GLE alert are discussed.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

On Mid-Term Periodicities in Cosmic Rays

The contributions of quasi-periodic variations of cosmic rays for T>27 days at the primary energies to which neutron monitors are sensitive have a rather complicated character. They were reported in several papers (e.g. Valdés-Galicia, Perez-Enriquez, and Otaola, 1996; Mavromichalaki et al., 2003; Kudela et al., 2002; Caballero and Valdés-Galicia, 2001) from individual stations and for various time intervals covered. The data archive of several neutron monitor stations developed within the NMDB project () now involves long time series of measurements at neutron monitors situated at different geomagnetic cut-off rigidity positions and at different altitudes. It is updated continuously. Using the daily averages of cosmic-ray intensity at three selected stations within NMDB: i) the temporal evolution of the selected quasi-periodicities, especially those of approximately 1.7 yr, 150 days and 26 – 32 days respectively, until 2008 are reviewed, ii) the similarities of the spectra are checked and iii) the occurrence of quasi-periodicities with those observed in solar, interplanetary and geomagnetic activities (Moussas et al., 2005; Richardson and Cane, 2005) as well as in energetic particles below the atmospheric threshold are discussed (Laurenza et al., 2009).     

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.     

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.     

Ground level enhancements of cosmic rays in solar cycle 24

Using data from ground-based observations of cosmic rays (CRs) on the worldwide network of stations and spacecraft, we have investigated the proton spectra and the CR anisotropy during the ground level enhancements of CRs on May 17, 2012 (GLE71) and January 6, 2014 (GLE72) occurred in solar cycle 24 by the spectrographic global survey method. We provide the CR rigidity spectra and the relative changes in the intensity of CRs with a rigidity of 2 GV in the solar–ecliptic geocentric coordinate system in specific periods of these events. We show that the proton acceleration during GLE71 and GLE72 occurred up to rigidities R ~ 2.3?2.5 GV, while the differential rigidity spectra of solar CRs are described neither by a power nor by an exponential function of particle rigidity. At the times of the events considered the Earth was in a loop-like structure of the interplanetary magnetic field.     

On the Analysis of the Complex Forbush Decreases of January 2005

In this work an analysis of a series of complex cosmic ray events that occurred between 17 January 2005 and 23 January 2005 using solar, interplanetary and ground based cosmic ray data is being performed. The investigated period was characterized both by significant galactic cosmic ray (GCR) and solar cosmic ray (SCR) variations with highlighted cases such as the noticeable series of Forbush effects (FEs) from 17 January 2005 to 20 January 2005, the Forbush decrease (FD) on 21 January 2005 and the ground level enhancement (GLE) of the cosmic ray counter measurements on 20 January 2005. The analysis is focusing on the aforementioned FE cases, with special attention drawn on the 21 January 2005, FD event, which demonstrated several exceptional features testifying its uniqueness. Data from the ACE spacecraft, together with GOES X-ray recordings and LASCO CME coronagraph images were used in conjunction to the ground based recordings of the Worldwide Neutron Monitor Network, the interplanetary data of OMNI database and the geomagnetic activity manifestations denoted by K _p and D _st indices. More than that, cosmic ray characteristics as density, anisotropy and density gradients were also calculated. The results illustrate the state of the interplanetary space that cosmic rays crossed and their corresponding modulation with respect to the multiple extreme solar events of this period. In addition, the western location of the 21 January 2005 solar source indicates a new cosmic ray feature, which connects the position of the solar source to the cosmic ray anisotropy variations. In the future, this feature could serve as an indicator of the solar source and can prove to be a valuable asset, especially when satellite data are unavailable.     

Neutron star mergers in the context of the hadron–quark phase transition

The long awaited event of the detection of a gravitational wave from a binary neutron star merger and its electromagnetic counterparts marked the beginning of a new era in observational astrophysics. The brand-new field of gravitational wave astronomy combined with multi-messenger observations will uncover violent, highly energetic astrophysical events that could not be explored before by humankind. This article focuses on the presumable appearance of a hadron–quark phase transition and the formation of regions of deconfined quark matter in the interior of a neutron star merger product. The evolution of density and temperature profiles inside the inner region of the produced hypermassive/supramassive neutron star advises an incorporation of a hadron–quark phase transition in the equation of state of neutron star matter. The highly densed and hot neutron star matter of the remnant populate regions in the QCD phase diagram where a non neglectable amount of deconfined quark matter is expected to be present. If a strong hadron–quark phase transition would happen during the post-merger phase, it will be imprinted in the spectral properties of the emitted gravitational wave signal and might give an additional contribution to the dynamically emitted outflow of mass.     

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.     

Possible solar neutron events recorded by the ground-based neutron monitor

Possible solar neutron emission associated with five SMM gamma-ray events on 7 June 1980, 21 June 1980, 6 November 1980, 26 November 1982 and 25 April 1984 was found from analysis of 10-minute records of the ground-based neutron monitor at Tokyo. Of these the two events on 21 June 1980 and 25 April 1984 have been already known as neutron events. The time histories of the neutron monitor count rate are compared with those of the gamma-ray count rate and the possibility of energetic neutron emission at the flare site is discussed.     

The IMO Virtual Meteor Observatory (VMO): Architectural Design

This paper describes the progress on the Virtual Meteor Observatory (VMO), a database which is being developed at ESA/RSSD to store video meteor observations and their derived orbits. The VMO was triggered by a discussion which took place at the first Meteor Orbit Determination (MOD) workshop in Roden, The Netherlands, in September 2006. Representatives of 15 groups working on the determination of meteor orbits and working with the resulting orbits discussed the design and implementation of a database which would combine different meteor orbit datasets. From this the concept of the VMO was born, which will, in the long run, allow accessing meteor observations via the internet. In the beginning, it will focus on meteor orbit data obtained with video systems. This paper presents the architectural design of the database as it has been defined in the meantime.     

Multiple flaring activity in the supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J08408−4503 observed with Swift

IGR  J08408−4503  is a supergiant fast X–ray transient discovered in 2006 with a confirmed association with a O8.5Ib(f) supergiant star, HD 74194. We report on the analysis of two outbursts caught by Swift /Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on 2006 October 4 and 2008 July 5, and followed up at softer energies with Swift /X-ray Telescope (XRT). The 2008 XRT light curve shows a multiple-peaked structure with an initial bright flare that reached a flux of  ∼10⁻⁹ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹  (2–10 keV), followed by two equally bright flares within 75 ks. The spectral characteristics of the flares differ dramatically, with most of the difference, as derived via time-resolved spectroscopy, being due to absorbing column variations. We observe a gradual decrease in the N _H, derived with a fit using absorbed power-law model, as time passes. We interpret these N _H variations as due to an ionization effect produced by the first flare, resulting in a significant decrease in the measured column density towards the source. The durations of the flares as well as the times of the outbursts suggest that the orbital period is ∼35 d, if the flaring activity is interpreted within the framework of the Sidoli et al. model with the outbursts triggered by the neutron star passage inside an equatorial wind inclined with respect to the orbital plane.     

Radio precursors to neutron star binary mergings

We discuss a possible generation of radio bursts preceding final stages of binary neutron star mergings which can be accompanied by short gamma-ray bursts. Detection of such bursts appear to be advantageous in the low-frequency radio band due to a time delay of ten to several hundred seconds required for radio signal to propagate in the ionized intergalactic medium. This delay makes it possible to use short gamma-ray burst alerts to promptly monitor specific regions on the sky by low-frequency radio facilities, especially by LOFAR. To estimate the strength of the radio signal, we assume a power-law dependence of the radio luminosity on the total energy release in a magnetically dominated outflow, as found in millisecond pulsars. Based on the planned LOFAR sensitivity at 120 MHz, we estimate that the LOFAR detection rate of such radio transients could be about several events per month from redshifts up to z∼1.3 in the most optimistic scenario. The LOFAR ability to detect such events would crucially depend on exact efficiency of low-frequency radio emission mechanism.     

Relationship of ground level enhancements with solar,interplanetary and geophysical parameters

Cosmic rays registered by Neutron Monitor on the surface of the Earth are believed to originate from outer space, and sometimes also from the exotic objects of the Sun. Whilst the intensities of the cosmic rays are observed to be enhanced with sudden, sharp and short-lived increases, they are termed as ground level enhancements (GLEs). They are the occurrences in solar cosmic ray intensity variations on short-term basis, so different solar factors erupted from the Sun can be responsible for causing them. In this context, an attempt has been made to determine quantitative relationships of the GLEs having peak increase >5% with simultaneous solar, interplanetary and geophysical factors from 1997 through 2006, thereby searching the responsible factors which seem to cause the enhancements. Results suggest that GLE peaks might be caused by solar energetic particle fluxes and solar flares. The proton fluxes which seemed to cause GLE peaks were also supported by their corresponding fluences. For most of the flares, the time integrated rising portion of the flare emission refers to the strong portion of X-ray fluxes which might be the concern to GLE peak. On an average, GLE peak associated X-ray flux (0.71×10⁻⁴ w/m²) is much stronger than GLE background associated X-ray flux (0.11×10⁻⁶ w/m²). It gives a general consent that the GLE peak is presumably caused by the solar flare. Coronal mass ejection alone does not seem to cause GLE. Coronal mass ejection presumably causes geomagnetic disturbances characterized by geomagnetic indices and polarities of interplanetary magnetic fields.     

A simulation-based study of the neutron backgrounds for NaI dark matter experiments

Among the direct search experiments for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter, the DAMA experiment observed an annual modulation signal interpreted as WIMP interactions with a significance of 9.2σ. Recently, Jonathan Davis claimed that the DAMA modulation may be interpreted on the basis of the neutron scattering events induced by the muons and neutrinos together. We tried to simulate the neutron backgrounds at the Gran Sasso and Yangyang laboratory with and without the polyethylene shielding to quantify the effects of the ambient neutrons on the direct detection experiments based on the crystals.