The interplanetary magnetic field associated with the propagation of solar relativistic particles
Abstract
The origin and the propagation of relativistic solar particles (450 MeV-few GeV) in the inter-planetary medium remains a complex topic. These particles, detected at the Earth by neutron monitors (called Ground level enhancement, GLE), have been previously accelerated close to the Sun. Before being detected at the Earth, these relativistic particles have to travel along an interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) connecting the acceleration site and the Earth. Generally, the nominal Parker spiral (SP), is considered for ensuring the magnetic connection to the Earth. However, in most GLEs the IMF is highly disturbed, and the active regions (ARs) associated to the GLEs are not always located close to the footprint of the nominal Parker spiral. If it is not the nominal Parker spiral, which IMF connects the acceleration site and the Earth during the GLEs? A possible explanation of relativistic particles propagation under these circumstances are transient magnetic structures, travelling in the IMF as Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs). In order to check this interpretation, we studied in detail the interplanetary medium in which 10 GLEs of the last solar cycle propagate. Using the magnetic field and the plasma parameter measurements (ACE/MAG and ACE/SWEPAM), we found widely different IMF configurations. Those included obvious cases of propagation in an ICME, as well as some cases consistent with a Parker Spiral. But, we also found cases correponding to the propagation of relativistic particles in a highly disturbed Parker like IMF. In an independant approach we applied the velocity dispersion method (VDA) to energetic protons measured by SoHO/ERNE and relativistic particles measured by the neutron monitor network. We determined the path length travelled by energetic particles. These lengths are fully consistent with the IMF shape determined previously. Thus, the length associated to particles propagating along the nominal Parker spiral is of the order of 1-1.2 AU, contrary to the length associated with a distrubed interplanetary magnetic filed which is of order of 1.3-1.8 AU. For particles in an ICME, the velocity dispersion analysis gives a length approching 2 AU. This is an important element when one want use the timing of particle arrival at Earth to identify type of solar activity that leads to the acceleration of these particles.
- Publication:
-
38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010cosp...38.3009M