Andreas Klassen

THE VERY UNUSUAL INTERPLANETARY CORONAL MASS EJECTION OF 2012 JULY 23: A BLAST WAVE MEDIATED BY SOLAR ENERGETIC PARTICLES

The giant, superfast, interplanetary coronal mass ejection, detected by STEREO A on 2012 July 23, well away from Earth, appears to have reached 1 AU with an unusual set of leading bow waves resembling in some ways a subsonic interaction, possibly due to the high pressures present in the very energetic particles produced in this event. Eventually, a front of record high-speed flow reached STEREO. The unusual behavior of this event is illustrated using the magnetic field, plasma, and energetic ion observations obtained by STEREO. Had the Earth been at the location of STEREO, the large southward-oriented magnetic field component in the event, combined with its high speed, would have produced a record storm.

Statistical survey of widely spread out solar electron events observed with STEREO and ACE with special attention to anisotropies

Context. In February 2011, the two STEREO spacecrafts reached a separation of 180 degrees in longitude, offering a complete view of the Sun for the first time ever. When the full Sun surface is visible, source active regions of solar energetic particle (SEP) events can be identified unambiguously. STEREO, in combination with near-Earth observatories such as ACE or SOHO, provides three well separated viewpoints, which build an unprecedented platform from which to investigate the longitudinal variations of SEP events. Aims. We show an ensemble of SEP events that were observed between 2009 and mid-2013 by at least two spacecrafts and show a remarkably wide particle spread in longitude (wide-spread events). The main selection criterion for these events was a longitudinal separation of at least 80 degrees between active region and spacecraft magnetic footpoint for the widest separated spacecraft. We investigate the events statistically in terms of peak intensities, onset delays, and rise times, and determine the spread of the longitudinal events, which is the range filled by SEPs during the events. Energetic electron anisotropies are investigated to distinguish the source and transport mechanisms that lead to the observed wide particle spreads. Methods. According to the anisotropy distributions, we divided the events into three classes depending on different source and transport scenarios. One potential mechanism for wide-spread events is efficient perpendicular transport in the interplanetary medium that competes with another scenario, which is a wide particle spread that occurs close to the Sun. In the latter case, the observations at 1 AU during the early phase of the events are expected to show significant anisotropies because of the wide injection range at the Sun and particle-focusing during the outward propagation, while in the first case only low anisotropies are anticipated. Results. We find events for both of these scenarios in our sample that match the expected observations and even different events that do not agree with the scenarios. We conclude that probably both an extended source region at the Sun and perpendicular transport in the interplanetary medium are involved for most of these wide-spread events.

CIRCUMSOLAR ENERGETIC PARTICLE DISTRIBUTION ON 2011 NOVEMBER 3

Late on 2011 November 3, STEREO-A, STEREO-B, MESSENGER, and near-Earth spacecraft observed an energetic particle flux enhancement. Based on the analysis of in situ plasma and particle observations, their correlation with remote sensing observations, and an interplanetary transport model, we conclude that the particle increases observed at multiple locations had a common single-source active region and the energetic particles filled a very broad region around the Sun. The active region was located at the solar backside (as seen from Earth) and was the source of a large flare, a fast and wide coronal mass ejection, and an EIT wave, accompanied by type II and type III radio emission. In contrast to previous solar energetic particle events showing broad longitudinal spread, this event showed clear particle anisotropies at three widely separated observation points at 1 AU, suggesting direct particle injection close to the magnetic footpoint of each spacecraft, lasting for several hours. We discuss these observations and the possible scenarios explaining the extremely broad particle spread for this event.

Wide longitudinal distribution of interplanetary electrons following the 7 February 2010 solar event: Observations and transport modeling

We analyze 65–105 keV electrons in the 7 February 2010 solar electron event observed simultaneously by STEREO-A, STEREO-B, and ACE. A method to reconstruct the full-electron pitch angle distributions from the four Solar Electron and Proton Telescope sensors on STEREO-A/B and the Solar Electron and Proton Telescope instrument on ACE in the energy range of approximately 60–300 keV for periods of incomplete angular coverage is presented. A transport modeling based on numerical solutions of a three-dimensional particle propagation model which includes pitch angle scattering and focused transport is applied to the intensity and anisotropy profiles measured on all three spacecraft. Based on an analysis of intensity gradients observed between the three spacecraft, we find that the lateral transport of the electrons occurs partially close to the Sun, due to effects of nonradial divergence of magnetic field lines or particle diffusion, and partially in the interplanetary medium. For the mean free paths characterizing the electron diffusion parallel and perpendicular to the interplanetary magnetic field, we derive values of λ∥∼ 0.1 AU and λ⟂∼ 0.01 AU. In comparison with results from other particle events which we had previously analyzed in a similar manner we discuss whether the diffusion mean free paths parallel and perpendicular to the average magnetic field might be related with each other, and whether the particle transport perpendicular to the average magnetic field is more likely due to particles following meandering magnetic field lines, or due to particles being scattered off individual field lines.

LATITUDINAL GRADIENTS OF GALACTIC COSMIC RAYS DURING THE 2007 SOLAR MINIMUM

Ulysses, launched in 1990 October in the maximum phase of solar cycle 22, completed its third out-of-ecliptic orbit in 2008 February. This provides a unique opportunity to study the propagation of cosmic rays over a wide range of heliographic latitudes during different levels of solar activity and different polarities in the inner heliosphere. Comparison of the first and second fast latitude scans from 1994 to 1995 and from 2000 to 2001 confirmed the expectation of positive latitudinal gradients at solar minimum versus an isotropic Galactic cosmic ray distribution at solar maximum. During the second scan in mid-2000, the solar magnetic field reversed its global polarity. From 2007 to 2008, Ulysses made its third fast latitude scan during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. Therefore, the solar activity is comparable in 2007-2008 to that from 1994 to 1995, but the magnetic polarity is opposite. Thus, one would expect to compare positive with negative latitudinal gradients during these two periods for protons and electrons, respectively. In contrast, our analysis of data from the Kiel Electron Telescope aboard Ulysses results in no significant latitudinal gradients for protons. However, the electrons show, as expected, a positive latitudinal gradient of ~0.2% per degree. Although our result is surprising, the nearly isotropic distribution of protons in 2007-2008 is consistent with an isotropic distribution of electrons from 1994 to 1995.

Solar radio burst and solar wind associations with inferred near-relativistic electron injections

The solar injections of near-relativistic (NR) electron events observed at 1 AU appear to be systematically delayed by ~10 minutes from the associated flare impulsive phases. We compare inferred injection times of 80 electron events observed by the 3DP electron detector on the Wind spacecraft with 40-800 MHz solar observations by the AIP radio telescope in Potsdam-Tremsdorf, Germany. Other than preceding type III bursts, we find no single radio signature characteristic of the inferred electron injection times. The injection delays from the preceding type III bursts do not correlate with the 1 AU solar wind βp or B, but do correlate with densities ne and inversely with speeds VSW, consistent with propagation effects. About half of the events are associated with metric or decametric-hectometric (dh) type II bursts, but most injections occur before or after those bursts. Electron events with long (≥2 hr) beaming times at 1 AU are preferentially associated with type II bursts, which supports the possibility of a class of shock-accelerated NR electron events.

Proton intensity spectra during the solar energetic particle events of May 17, 2012 and January 6, 2014

Context. Ground-level enhancements (GLEs) are solar energetic particle events that show a significant intensity increase at energies that can be measured by neutron monitors. The most recent GLE-like events were recorded on May 17, 2012 and January 6, 2014. They were also measured by sophisticated instrumentation in space such as PAMELA and the Electron Proton Helium INstrument (EPHIN) onboard SOHO. Since neutron monitors are only sensitive to protons above 400 MeV with maximum sensitivity at 1 to 2 GeV, the spectra of such weak GLE-like events (January 6, 2014) can only be measured by space instrumentation. Aims. We show that the SOHO/EPHIN is capable of measuring the solar energetic particle proton event spectra between 100 MeV

Solar origin of in-situ near-relativistic electron spikes observed with SEPT/STEREO

During 2010–2011 the Solar Electron Proton Telescope (SEPT) onboard the twin STEREO spacecraft detected a number of typical impulsive electron events showing a prompt intensity onset followed by a long decay, as well as several near-relativistic so-called electron spike events. These spikes are characterized by a very short duration of below 10–20 min at FWHM, almost symmetric time profiles, velocity dispersion and strong anisotropy, revealing a very weak scattering during particle propagation from the Sun to STEREO. Spikes are detected at energies below 300 keV and appear simulateneously with type III radio bursts detected by SWAVES/STEREO and narrow EUV jets in active regions. Using particle, EUV and radio imaging observations we found that nearrelativistic electrons were accelerated simultaneously and at the same location as the electrons emitting the accompanying type III radio bursts and together with coronal EUV jets. Furthermore, the sources of type III radio bursts match very well the locations and the trajectories of the associated EUV jet. Applying a particle propagation model we demonstrate that the spike characteristics reflect both, properties of the accelerator and effects of interplanetary propagation.

MULTI-SPACECRAFT OBSERVATIONS AND TRANSPORT MODELING OF ENERGETIC ELECTRONS FOR A SERIES OF SOLAR PARTICLE EVENTS IN AUGUST 2010

During August 2010 a series of solar particle events, origin ating from the adjacent active regions 11093 and 11099, was observed by the two STEREO as well as by ne ar-Earth spacecraft. For the events occurring on the August 7 and 18 we combine in-situ and remote-sensing observations with predictions from our model of three-dimensional aniso tropic particle propagation in order to investigate the physical processes which cause the large an gular spreads of the energetic particles during these events. In particular, we address the effects o f lateral transport of the electrons in the solar corona as well as due to diffusion perpendicular to the average magnetic field in the interplanetary medium. We also study the influence of two Cor onal Mass Ejections and associated shock waves on the electron propagation, and a possible long itudinal variation in space of the transport conditions during the above period. For the Augus t 18 event we additionally utilize electron observations from the MESSENGER spacecraft at a di st nce of 0.31 AU from the Sun for an attempt to separate between radial and longitudinal d ependencies in the transport process.

Unexpected spatial intensity distributions and onset timing of solar electron events observed by closely spaced STEREO spacecraft

We present multi-spacecraft observations of four solar electron events using measurements from the Solar Electron Proton Telescope (SEPT) and the Electron Proton Helium INstrument (EPHIN) on board the STEREO and SOHO spacecraft, respectively, occurring between 11 October 2013 and 1 August 2014, during the approaching superior conjunction period of the two STEREO spacecraft. At this time the longitudinal separation angle between STEREO-A (STA) and STEREO-B (STB) was less than 72°. The parent particle sources (flares) of the four investigated events were situated close to, in between, or to the west of the STEREO’s magnetic footpoints. The STEREO measurements revealed a strong difference in electron peak intensities (factor ≤12) showing unexpected intensity distributions at 1 AU, although the two spacecraft had nominally nearly the same angular magnetic footpoint separation from the flaring active region (AR) or their magnetic footpoints were both situated eastwards from the parent particle source. Furthermore, the events detected by the two STEREO imply a strongly unexpected onset timing with respect to each other: the spacecraft magnetically best connected to the flare detected a later arrival of electrons than the other one. This leads us to suggest the concept of a rippled peak intensity distribution at 1 AU formed by narrow peaks (fingers) superposed on a quasi-uniform Gaussian distribution. Additionally, two of the four investigated solar energetic particle (SEP) events show a so-called circumsolar distribution and their characteristics make it plausible to suggest a two-component particle injection scenario forming an unusual, non-uniform intensity distribution at 1 AU.