Prompt solar proton events and coronal mass ejections.
Abstract
We have used data from the HAO white light coronagraph and AS&E X-ray telescope on Skylab to investigate the coronal manifestations of 18 prompt solar proton events observed with the GSFC detectors on the IMP-7 spacecraft during the Skylab period. We find evidence that a mass ejection event is a necessary condition for the occurrence of a prompt proton event. Mass ejection events can be observed directly in the white light coronagraph when they occur near the limb and inferred from the presence of a long decay X-ray event when they occur on the disk. We suggest that: (1) the occurrence of mass ejection events facilitates the escape of protons - whether accelerated at low or high altitudes - to the interplanetary medium; and (2) there may exist a proton acceleration region above or around the outward moving ejecta far above the flare site.
- Publication:
-
Solar Physics
- Pub Date:
- April 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF00160116
- Bibcode:
- 1978SoPh...57..429K
- Keywords:
-
- Solar Corona;
- Solar Protons;
- Solar X-Rays;
- Stellar Mass Ejection;
- Coronagraphs;
- Proton Flux Density;
- Skylab Program;
- Solar Magnetic Field;
- X Ray Telescopes;
- Solar Physics;
- Flare;
- High Altitude;
- White Light;
- Coronal Mass Ejection;
- Interplanetary Medium;
- Solar Corona:Mass Ejections;
- Solar Protons: Acceleration