Solar Energetic Particle Events detected by the Standard Radiation Environment Monitor (SREM) onboard INTEGRAL
Abstract
The SREM is a cost-effective instrument mounted onboard multiple ESA missions. The SREM objective is the in-situ measurement of high-energy solar particles at the spacecraft location. Within the previous solar cycle 23, SREM units onboard ESA's INTEGRAL and Rosetta missions detected several tens of SEPEs and accurately pinpointed their onset, rise, and decay times. We have undertaken a detailed study to determine the solar sources and subsequent interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) that gave rise to these events, as well as the timing of SEPEs with the onset of possible geomagnetic activity triggered by these ICMEs. We find that virtually all SREM SEPEs may be associated with CME-driven shocks. For a number of well-studied INTEGRAL/SREM SEPEs, moreover, we see an association between the SEPE peak and the shock passage at L1. Shortly (typically within a few hours) after the SEPE peak, the ICME-driven modulation of the magnetosphere kicks in, with either an increase or a dip of the Dst index, indicating stormy conditions in geospace. We conclude that, pending additional investigation, SREM units may prove useful for a short-term prediction of inclement space-weather conditions in Geospace, especially if mounted onboard dayside missions ahead of the magnetospheric bow shock.
- Publication:
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10th Hellenic Astronomical Conference
- Pub Date:
- January 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012hell.conf...10G