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Explorer XVIII satellite measurements of proton energy spectra in region corotating with Sun, noting modulation of galactic cosmic radiation and source of continuous particle accelerations
The theory and observation of shock spikes are reviewed. Models of the orbits of charged particles and their energization during interaction with discontinuities under various geometries are studied. In situ observations of shock spikes are discussed. These have shown that sharp spikes are found sometimes ahead of and sometimes behind the shock, with the highest energies being ahead. One generally observes larger, field-aligned ion anisotropies ahead of shocks rather than behind. Intensity modulation of protons, alpha particles, medium nuclei, and iron have been observed.
Results from ISEE-3 experiments on interplanetary energetic charged particles on June 7, June 21, and July 1, 1980 dealing with gamma ray producing solar flares are reported. The data were gathered by the Ultra Low Energy Wide Angle Telescope, which comprises a thin window, flow through proportional counter/solid-state detector composition telescope. Evidence of a specified time delay from an observed flare and the recording of 0.44-1.3 MeV electrons on ISEE-3 combined with quiescent periods of at least two hours before the observations and recording provides a link between the events. The data indicates interplanetary energetic particle enhancement, and a second, similar set of occurrences was also observed. Protons were accelerated up to 10-20 MeV. No enrichment of either He-3 or Fe was found.
Kilometric radio observations are to associate type III radio bursts with solar He-3-rich events and to identify and study the sources of those events at the sun and the transport of the particles outward toward earth. The events exhibit an impulsive behavior that earns them a natural role in the event classification scheme based upon the time scale of the particle acceleration process. Multiple He-3-rich events are observed frequently from a single active region where they provide a convenient signature to test theories of particle storage and transport. These multiple events act as impulsive probes of the condition of the interplanetary medium. Their profiles contrast with the source-acceleration-induced profiles of the long-duration events from the same active region that are interspersed among them.
Gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events are those in which ions are accelerated to their observed energies by interactions with a shock driven by a fast coronal mass-ejection (CME). Previous studies have shown that much of the observed event-to-event variability can be understood in terms of shock speed and evolution in the shock-normal angle. But an equally important factor, particularly for the elemental composition, is the origin of the suprathermal seed particles upon which the shock acts. To tackle this issue, we (1) use observed solar-wind speed, magnetograms, and the PFSS model to map the Sun-L1 interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) line back to its source region on the Sun at the time of the SEP observations; and (2) then look for correlation between SEP composition (as measured by Wind and ACE at approx. 2-30 MeV/nucleon) and characteristics of the identified IMF-source regions. The study is based on 24 SEP events, identified as a statistically-significant increase in approx. 20 MeV protons and occurring in 1998 and 2003-2006, when the rate of newly-emergent solar magnetic flux and CMEs was lower than in solar-maximum years and the field-line tracing is therefore more likely to be successful. We find that the gradual SEP Fe/O is correlated with the field strength at the IMF-source, with the largest enhancements occurring when the footpoint field is strong, due to the nearby presence of an active region. In these cases, other elemental ratios show a strong charge-to-mass (q/M) ordering, at least on average, similar to that found in impulsive events. These results lead us to suggest that magnetic reconnection in footpoint regions near active regions bias the heavy-ion composition of suprathermal seed ions by processes qualitatively similar to those that produce larger heavy-ion enhancements in impulsive SEP events. To address potential technical concerns about our analysis, we also discuss efforts to exclude impulsive SEP events from our event sample.
Observations of particle events associated with type II radio bursts as recorded on the ISEE-3 spacecraft are reported. Data on burst events following flares of Sept. 23,1978 and Aug. 18, 1979 yield time histories of the particle fluxes, which exceeded 25 MeV energy. The profiles of the Category-1 type II bursts display a continuous release of particles, which was concluded by no decrease in the fluxes until after the passage of the shock. The continuous nature of the recorded events suggests that the secondary acceleration process associated with the type II bursts is maintained as the flare shock propagates through interplanetary space, and may be the source of the energetic particles which propagate with the shock.
An analytic solution was obtained to the complete Fokker-Planck equation including the effects of convection, interplanetary deceleration and acceleration, corotation, and anisotropic diffusion. The solution yields a time to maximum for the particle flux of about 10 h and an exponential decay time of about 5 h. Several solar flare particle events were observed with the solar and galactic cosmic ray experiment on OGO-6. Comparisons of the calculated time dependence of the fluxes with these observations of 1 to 70 MeV protons show that the model adequately describes both the rise and decay times.
Work in the following areas is discussed: plasma physics of the auroral acceleration region; electrodynamic coupling as a function of substorm phase and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) direction; and particle injection in the magnetospheric cusp.
Solar electron phenomena which can produce low levels of hard X-ray emission at the Sun are reviewed. Small approx. 2 to 100 keV solar electrons events, the most common type of impulsive solar particle emission, appear to originate in flare-like bursts high in the corona. These events often are accompanied by approx. 1 MeV/nucleon to the 3rd power He-rich particle events in which lower energy ions are apparently accelerated as well. Long-lived (many days) streams associated with large flares or interplanetary shocks dominate the interplanetary electron fluxes, but even at the quietest times a significant outflow of non-thermal approx. 2 keV electrons occurs. These electron phenomena are accompanied by coronal and interplanetary radio emission. High sensitivity hard X-ray measurements show that microflares, bursts with peak keV fluxes 10 to 100 times smaller than observed in small solar flares, may occur as often as once every 5 min near solar maximum. The proposed Pinhole/Occulter Facility hard X-ray instrumentation provides the increase in sensitivity required to image these phenomena for the first time.
High-energy particles, the so-called solar cosmic rays, are often generated in association with solar flares, and then emitted into interplanetary space. These particles, consisting of electrons, protons, and other heavier nuclei, including the iron-group, are accelerated in the vicinity of the flare. By studying the temporal and spatial varation of these particles near the earth's orbit, their storage and release mechanisms in the solar corona and their propagation mechanism can be understood. The details of the nuclear composition and the rigidity spectrum for each nuclear component of the solar cosmic rays are important for investigating the acceleration mechanism in solar flares. The timing and efficiency of the acceleration process can also be investigated by using this information. These problems are described in some detail by using observational results on solar cosmic rays and associated phenomena.
The Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) will provide an entirely new view on particle acceleration and transport in the inner heliosphere by creating the first low radio frequency interferometer in space to localize heliospheric radio emissions. By imaging and determining the location of decametric-hectometric (DH) radio bursts from 0.1 MHz–25 MHz, SunRISE will provide key information on particle acceleration mechanisms associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the magnetic field topology from active regions into interplanetary space. Six small spacecraft, of a 6U form factor, will fly in a supersynchronous geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) orbit within about 10 km of each other, in a passive formation, and image the Sun in a portion of the spectrum that is blocked by the ionosphere and cannot be observed from Earth. Key aspects that enable this mission are that only position knowledge of the spacecraft is required, not active control, and that the architecture involves a modest amount of on-board processing coupled with significant ground-based processing for navigation, position determination, and science operations. Mission-enabling advances in software-defined radios, GPS navigation and timing, and small spacecraft technologies, developed and flown on the DARPA High Frequency Research (DHFR), the Community Initiative for Continuing Earth Radio Occultation (CICERO), and the Mars Cube One (MarCO) missions, have made this mission affordable and low-risk. The SunRISE mission will involve utilizing commercial access to space, in which the SunRISE spacecraft will be carried to their target orbit as a secondary payload in conjunction with a larger host spacecraft intended for GEO.
The Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) will provide an entirely new view on particle acceleration and transport in the inner heliosphere by creating the first low radio frequency interferometer in space to localize heliospheric radio emissions. By imaging and determining the location of decametric-hectometric (DH, 0.1 MHz–23 MHz) solar radio bursts, SunRISE will provide key information on particle acceleration mechanisms associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the magnetic field topology from active regions into interplanetary space. The SunRISE Observatory will consist of six space vehicles in a passive formation, in orbits designed to keep them within approximately 10 km of each other, and flying in a supersynchronous geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Each space vehicle consists of a Solar DH-GNSS payload and a 6U form factor spacecraft. The SunRISE Observatory together with significant ground-based processing, will enable imaging of the Sun in a portion of the spectrum that is blocked by the ionosphere and cannot be observed from Earth. Key aspects that enable this mission are that only position knowledge of the space vehicles is required, not active control, and that the architecture involves a modest amount of on-board processing coupled with significant ground-based processing for navigation, position determination, and science operations. Mission-enabling advances in software-defined radios, GPS navigation and timing, and small spacecraft technologies, developed and flown on the DARPA High Frequency Research (DHFR) and the Community Initiative for Continuing Earth Radio Occultation (CICERO) have made this mission affordable and low-risk. The SunRISE mission will exploit the multiple spacecraft per aperture (MSPA) capability of NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), for more efficient data transfers of larger data volumes, and utilize commercial access to space, in which the SunRISE space vehicles will be carried to their target orbit as secondary payloads in conjunction with a larger host spacecraft intended for GEO.
The solar flare on August 14, 1982 (about 0507 UT) produced hard X-rays, gamma-rays, and an electron-rich interplanetary particle event. Because of its location (N11, W61), the flare site was magnetically well connected to the ISEE 3 spacecraft. The ISEE 3 observations have provided a detailed time history of 15 keV-1.9 MeV photon emission from the flare and the relativistic (greater than 3 MeV) solar electrons in interplanetary space. These observations indicate that a significant fraction of the relativistic electrons escaping from the sun were accelerated during the impulsive phase simultaneously with the energetic electrons producing the hard X-ray and gamma-ray continuum at the sun.
Energetic particle observations in the outer heliosphere (approx 12 A. U.) by the LECP instruments on the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft are discussed that show a definite latitude dependence of the number and intensity of particle enhancements produced by corotating interplanetary regions during an interval when no solar energetic particle events were observed. The particle enhancements are fewer in number and less intense at higher (approx 20 deg.) heliolatitudes. However, the similar spectral shapes of the accelerated particles at the two spacecraft indicate that the acceleration process is the same at the two latitudes, but less intense at the higher latitude.
The ISEE project has made substantial contributions to the knowledge of the magnetosphere during the period of the IMS, especially in the discipline of Space Plasma Physics. Results obtained during approximately the first two years of the operation of ISEE-1 and -2, and touches on relevant results of ISEE-3 are reviewed. The ability to control the separation between ISEE-1 and -2, which are in nearly identical orbits, has permitted study of the motion and structure of the bow shock and magnetopause, the boundary layers, and the plasma sheet. Much evidence was obtained favoring the existence of reconnection and its relevance to the transfer of magnetic flux from the frontside to the rear of the magnetosphere, although not everyone agrees that it is the only important process. The presence of both reflected and accelerated particles was shown to lead to the development of a foreshock region between the bow shock and the interplanetary magnetic field line tangential to it.
The ability to control the separation between ISEE-1 and 2 permitted study of the motion and structure of the bow shock and magnetopause, the boundary layers, and the plasma sheet. Evidence favoring the existence of reconnection and its relevance to the transfer of magnetic flux from the frontside to the rear of the magnetosphere, was obtained. The presence of reflected and accelerated particles is shown to lead to the development of a foreshock region between the bow shock and the interplanetary magnetic field line tangential to it. Precursors to interplanetary shocks are also observed. Inside the magnetosphere, ISEE contributed to knowledge of plasma waves, and, augmenting work with GEOS, to studies of plasma composition. In the near tail, the boundary layer of the plasma sheet disclosed interesting phenomena.
The data on source energy spectra of solar cosmic rays (SCR), i.e. the data on the spectrum form and on the absolute SCR are of interest for three reasons: (1) the SCR contain the energy comparable to the total energy of electromagnetic flare radiation (less than or equal to 10 to the 32nd power ergs); (2) the source spectrum form indicates a possible acceleration mechanism (or mechanism); and (3) the accelerated particles are efficiently involved in nuclear electromagnetic and plasma processes in the solar atmosphere. Therefore, the data on SCR source spectra are necessary for a theoretical description of the processes mentioned and for the formulation of the consistent flare model. Below it is attempted to sound solar particle sources by means of SCR energy spectrum obtained near the Sun, at the level of the roots of the interplanetary field lines in the upper solar corona. Data from approx. 60 solar proton events (SPE) between 1956-1981. These data were obtained mainly by the interplanetary demodulation of observed fluxes near the Earth. Further, a model of coronal azimuthal transport is used to demodulate those spectra, and to obtain the source energy spectra.
An assessment is presented of the current state of knowledge concerning Birkeland currents and the parallel electric field, with discussions focusing on the Birkeland primary region 1 sheets, the region 2 sheets which parallel them and appear to close in the partial ring current, the cusp currents (which may be correlated with the interplanetary B(y) component), and the Harang filament. The energy required by the parallel electric field and the associated particle acceleration processes appears to be derived from the Birkeland currents, for which evidence is adduced from particles, inverted V spectra, rising ion beams and expanded loss cones. Conics may on the other hand signify acceleration by electrostatic ion cyclotron waves associated with beams accelerated by the parallel electric field.