Test particle simulations of SEPs originating from an expanding shock-like source

Abstract

Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) are known to be accelerated at Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)driven interplanetary shocks. Traditionally their propagation has been described via focussed transport approaches, limited to 1 or 2 spatial dimensions. We use 3D test particle simulations, which naturally incorporate the effect of drifts, to simulate the propagation of SEPs from a moving shock-like source. We investigate the effect of an expanding shock-like source propagating through interplanetary space, as opposed to an SEP source within the corona, on the observable properties of SEPs at 1 au and at locations nearer the Sun. We derive intensity profiles, anisotropies and longitudinal and latitudinal distribution of SEPs, with the aim of supporting observations from Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe.