Skip to main content
Log in

Analysis of the Ground-Level Enhancements on 14 July 2000 and 13 December 2006 Using Neutron Monitor Data

  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 01 May 2016

Abstract

On the basis of neutron monitor data, we estimate the energy spectrum, anisotropy axis direction, and pitch-angle distribution of solar energetic particles during two major ground-level enhancements (GLE 59 on 14 July 2000 and GLE 70 on 13 December 2006). For the analysis we used a newly computed neutron monitor yield function. The method consists of several consecutive steps: definition of the asymptotic viewing cones of neutron monitor stations considered for the data analysis by computing the cosmic ray particle propagation in a model magnetosphere with the MAGNETOCOSMICS code, computing the neutron monitor model responses, and deriving the solar energetic particle characteristics on the basis of inverse problem solution. The pitch-angle distribution and rigidity spectrum of high-energy protons are obtained as a function of time in the course of ground-level enhancements. A comparison with previously reported results is performed and reasonable agreement is achieved. A discussion of the obtained results is included.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andriopoulou, M., Mavromichalaki, H., Plainaki, C., Belov, A., Eroshenko, E.: 2011a, Intense ground-level enhancements of solar cosmic rays during the last solar cycles. Solar Phys. 269, 155. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Andriopoulou, M., Mavromichalaki, H., Preka-Papadema, P., Plainaki, C., Belov, A., Eroshenko, E.: 2011b, Solar activity and the associated ground level enhancements of solar cosmic rays during solar cycle 23. Astrophys. Space Sci. Trans. 7, 439. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Aschwanden, M.: 2012, GeV particle acceleration in solar flares and ground level enhancement (GLE) events. Space Sci. Rev. 171, 3. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Aster, R.C., Borchers, B., Thurber, C.H.: 2005, Parameter Estimation and Inverse Problems, Elsevier, New York. 0-12-065604-3.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Bazilevskaya, G.A., Usoskin, I.G., Flückiger, E.O., Harrison, R.G., Desorgher, L., Bütikofer, B., Krainev, M.B., Makhmutov, V.S., Stozhkov, Y.I., Svirzhevskaya, A.K., Svirzhevsky, N.S., Kovaltsov, G.A.: 2008, Cosmic ray induced ion production in the atmosphere. Space Sci. Rev. 137, 149. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bieber, J.W., Evenson, P.A.: 1995, Spaceship Earth – an optimized network of neutron monitors. In: Proc. of 24th ICRC Rome, Italy, 28 August – 8 September 1995, 4, 1316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bieber, J.W., Droge, W., Evenson, P.A., Pyle, K.R., Ruffolo, D., Pinsook, U., Tooprakai, P., Rujiwarodom, M., Khumlumlert, T., Krucker, S.: 2002, Energetic particle observations during the 2000 July 14 solar event. Astrophys. J. 567, 622. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bieber, J.W., Clem, J., Evenson, P., Pyle, R., Sáiz, A., Ruffolo, D.: 2013, Giant ground level enhancement of relativistic solar protons on 2005 January 20. I. Spaceship Earth observations. Astrophys. J. 771, 92. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bombardieri, D.J., Duldig, M.L., Michael, K.J., Humble, J.E.: 2006, Relativistic proton production during the 2000 July 14 solar event: The case for multiple source mechanisms. Astrophys. J. 644, 565. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bombardieri, D.J., Duldig, M.L., Humble, J.E., Michael, K.J.: 2008, An improved model for relativistic solar proton acceleration applied to the 2005 January 20 and earlier events. Astrophys. J. 682, 1315. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bütikofer, R., Flückiger, E.O.: 2013, Differences in published characteristics of GLE 60 and their consequences on computed radiation dose rates along selected flight paths. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 409, 012166. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bütikofer, R., Flückiger, E.O., Desorgher, L., Moser, M.R., Pirard, B.: 2009, The solar cosmic ray ground-level enhancements on 20 January 2005 and 13 December 2006. Adv. Space Res. 43, 499. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bütikofer, R., Flückiger, E.O., Balabin, Y., Belov, A.: 2013, The reliability of GLE analysis based on neutron monitor data – a critical review. In: Proc. of 33th ICRC, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2 – 9 July 2013, 0863.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caballero-Lopez, R.A., Moraal, H.: 2004, Limitations of the force field equation to describe cosmic ray modulation. J. Geophys. Res. 109, A01101. DOI .

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Clem, J., Dorman, L.: 2000, Neutron monitor response functions. Space Sci. Rev. 93, 335.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cliver, E.W., Kahler, S.W., Reames, D.V.: 2004, Coronal shocks and solar energetic proton events. Astrophys. J. 605, 902.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, D.J., Humble, J.E., Shea, M.A., Smart, D.F., Lund, N., Rasmussen, I.L., Byrnak, B., Goret, P., Petrou, N.: 1991, On cosmic-ray cutoff terminology. Nuovo Cimento C 14, 213.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cramp, J.L., Humble, J.E., Duldig, M.L.: 1995, The cosmic ray ground-level enhancement of 24 October 1989. In: Proceedings Astronomical Society of Australia 11, 28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramp, J.L., Duldig, M.L., Flückiger, E.O., Humble, J.E., Shea, M.A., Smart, D.F.: 1997, The October 22, 1989, solar cosmic enhancement: Ray an analysis the anisotropy spectral characteristics. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 24237.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Debrunner, H., Brunberg, E.: 1968, Monte Carlo calculation of nucleonic cascade in the atmosphere. Can. J. Phys. 46, 1069.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Debrunner, H., Flückiger, E.O., Gradel, H., Lockwood, J.A., McGuire, R.E.: 1988, Observations related to the acceleration, injection, and interplanetary propagation of energetic protons during the solar cosmic ray event on February 16, 1984. J. Geophys. Res. 93, 7206.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dennis, J.E., Schnabel, R.B.: 1996, Numerical Methods for Unconstrained Optimization and Nonlinear Equations, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs. 978-0-898713-64-0.

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Desorgher, L., Flückiger, E.O., Gurtner, M., Moser, M.R., Bütikofer, R.: 2005, A Geant 4 code for computing the interaction of cosmic rays with the Earth’s atmosphere. Int. J. Mod. Phys. A 20, 6802. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Desorgher, L., Kudela, K., Flückiger, E.O., Bütikofer, R., Storini, M., Kalegaev, V.: 2009, Comparison of earth’s magnetospheric magnetic field models in the context of cosmic ray physics. Acta Geophys. 57, 75. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dorman, L.: 2004, Cosmic Rays in the Earth’s Atmosphere and Underground, Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht. 1-4020-2071-6.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Dorman, L.: 2006, Cosmic Ray Interactions, Propagation, and Acceleration in Space Plasmas, Astrophysics and Space Science Library 339, Springer, Dordrecht, 978-1-4020-5100-5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dryer, M., Fry, C.D., Sun, W., Deehr, C., Smith, Z., Akasofu, S.-I., Andrews, M.D.: 2001, Prediction in real time of the 2000 July 14 heliospheric shock wave and its companions during the ‘bastille’ epoch. Solar Phys. 204, 267.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Duldig, M.L., Cramp, J.L., Humble, J.E., Smart, D.F., Shea, M.A., Bieber, J.W., Evenson, P., Fenton, K.B., Fenton, A.G., Bendoricchio, M.B.M.: 1995, The ground level enhancements of 1989 September and October 22. In: Proceedings Astronomical Society of Australia 10, 211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson, L.J., Axford, W.I.: 1968, Solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays. Astrophys. J. 154, 1011.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gopalswamy, N., Xie, H., Yashiro, S., Akiyama, S., Mäkelä, P., Usoskin, I.G.: 2012, Properties of ground level enhancement events and the associated solar eruptions during solar cycle 23. Space Sci. Rev. 171, 23. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hatton, C.: 1971, The neutron monitor. In: Progress in Elementary Particle and Cosmic-ray Physics X, North-Holland, Amsterdam, Chapter 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humble, J.E., Duldig, M.L., Smart, D.F., Shea, M.A.: 1991, Detection of 0.5 – 15 GeV solar protons on 29 September 1989 at australian stations. Geophys. Res. Lett. 18, 737.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kallenrode, M.-B., Cliver, E.W., Wibberenz, G.: 1992, Composition and azimuthal spread of solar energetic particles from impulsive and gradual flares. Astrophys. J. 391, 370.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Klein, K.-L., Trottet, G., Lantos, P., Delaboudinière, J.-P.: 2001, Coronal electron acceleration and relativistic proton production during the 14 July 2000 flare and CME. Astron. Astrophys. 373, 1073.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kudela, K., Bučik, R., Bobik, P.: 2008, On transmissivity of low energy cosmic rays in disturbed magnetosphere. Adv. Space Res. 42, 1300. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kudela, K., Usoskin, I.: 2004, On magnetospheric transmissivity of cosmic rays. Czechoslov. J. Phys. 54, 239. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Langel, R.A.: 1987, Main field in geomagnetism. In: Geomagnetism, J.A. Jacobs Academic Press, London, 249, Chapter 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenberg, K.: 1944, A method for the solution of certain non-linear problems in least squares. Q. Appl. Math. 2, 164.

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood, J.A., Debrunner, H., Flükiger, E.O.: 1990, Indications for diffusive coronal shock acceleration of protons in selected solar cosmic ray events. J. Geophys. Res. 95, 4187.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Marquardt, D.: 1963, An algorithm for least-squares estimation of nonlinear parameters. SIAM J. Appl. Math. 11, 431.

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Mavromichalaki, H., Papaioannou, A., Plainaki, C., Sarlanis, C., Souvatzoglou, G., Gerontidou, M., Papailiou, M., Eroshenko, E., Belov, A., Yanke, V., Flückiger, E.O., Bütikofer, R., Parisi, M., Storini, M., Klein, K.-L., Fuller, N., Steigies, C.T., Rother, O.M., Heber, B., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R.F., Kudela, K., Strharsky, I., Langer, R., Usoskin, I., Ibragimov, A., Chilingaryan, A., Hovsepyan, G., Reymers, A., Yeghikyan, A., Kryakunova, O., Dryn, E., Nikolayevskiy, N., Dorman, L., Pustil’Nik, L.: 2011, Applications and usage of the real-time neutron monitor database. Adv. Space Res. 47, 2210. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishev, A.L., Kocharov, L.G., Usoskin, I.G.: 2014, Analysis of the ground level enhancement on 17 May 2012 using data from the global neutron monitor network. J. Geophys. Res. 119, 670. DOI .

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishev, A., Usoskin, I.: 2013, Computations of cosmic ray propagation in the Earth’s atmosphere, towards a gle analysis. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 409, 012152. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishev, A., Usoskin, I., Kovaltsov, G.: 2013, Neutron monitor yield function: New improved computations. J. Geophys. Res. 118, 2783. DOI .

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishev, A.L., Velinov, P.I.Y.: 2015, Time evolution of ionization effect due to cosmic rays in terrestrial atmosphere during GLE 70. J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys. 129, 78. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Moraal, H., McCracken, K.G.: 2012, The time structure of ground level enhancements in solar cycle 23. Space Sci. Rev. 171, 85. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • More, G., Garbow, B.S., Hillstrom, K.E.: 1980, User guide for Minpack-1. Report ANL 80-74, Argonne National Laboratory, Downers Grove Township, Ill., USA.

  • Nevalainen, J., Usoskin, I., Mishev, A.: 2013, Eccentric dipole approximation of the geomagnetic field: Application to cosmic ray computations. Adv. Space Res. 52, 22. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Perez-Peraza, J.A., Vashenyuk, E.V., Gallegos-Cruz, A., Balabin, Y.V., Miroshnichenko, L.I.: 2008, Relativistic proton production at the sun in the 20 January 2005 solar event. Adv. Space Res. 41, 947. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Plainaki, C., Belov, A., Eroshenko, E., Mavromichalaki, H., Yanke, V.: 2007, Modeling ground level enhancements: Event of 20 January 2005. J. Geophys. Res. 112, A04102. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Plainaki, C., Mavromichalaki, H., Belov, A., Eroshenko, E., Yanke, V.: 2009, Modeling the solar cosmic ray event of 13 December 2006 using ground level neutron monitor data. Adv. Space Res. 43, 474. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reames, D.V.: 1999, Particle acceleration at the sun and in the heliosphere. Space Sci. Rev. 90, 413.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reames, D.V.: 2009a, Solar energetic-particle release times in historic ground-level events. Astrophys. J. 706, 844. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reames, D.V.: 2009b, Solar release times of energetic particles in ground-level events. Astrophys. J. 693, 812. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Shea, M.A., Smart, D.F.: 1982, Possible evidence for a rigidity-dependent release of relativistic protons from the solar corona. Space Sci. Rev. 32, 251.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Shea, M.A., Smart, D.F.: 1990, A summary of major solar proton events. Solar Phys. 127, 297.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J., Fonger, W., Treiman, S.: 1953, Cosmic radiation intensity-time variation and their origin. I. Neutron intensity variation method and meteorological factors. Phys. Rev. 90, 934.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Smart, D.F., Shea, M.A., Flückiger, E.O.: 2000, Magnetospheric models and trajectory computations. Space Sci. Rev. 93, 305.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsyganenko, N.A.: 1989, A magnetospheric magnetic field model with a warped tail current sheet. Planet. Space Sci. 37, 5.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Tylka, A., Dietrich, W.: 2009, A new and comprehensive analysis of proton spectra in ground-level enhanced (GLE) solar particle. In: Proc. of 31th ICRC, Lodz, Poland, 7 – 15 July 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Usoskin, I.G., Bazilevskaya, G.A., Kovaltsov, G.A.: 2011, Solar modulation parameter for cosmic rays since 1936 reconstructed from ground-based neutron monitors and ionization chambers. J. Geophys. Res. 116, A02104. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Usoskin, I., Alanko-Huotari, K., Kovaltsov, G., Mursula, K.: 2005, Heliospheric modulation of cosmic rays: Monthly reconstruction for 1951 – 2004. J. Geophys. Res. 110, A12108. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Usoskin, I.G., Kovaltsov, G.A., Mironova, I.A., Tylka, A.J., Dietrich, W.F.: 2011, Ionization effect of solar particle GLE events in low and middle atmosphere. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 11, 1979. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Usoskin, I.G., Ibragimov, A., Shea, M.A., Smart, D.F.: 2015, Database of ground level enhancements (GLE) of high energy solar proton events. In: Proc. of 34th ICRC, Hague, Netherlands, 30 July – 6 August 2015, PoS, paper 54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vashenyuk, E.V., Balabin, Y.V., Gvozdevskii, B.B., Karpov, S.N.: 2006a, Relativistic solar protons in the event of January 20, 2005: Model studies. Geomagn. Aeron. 46, 424. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vashenyuk, E.V., Balabin, Y.V., Perez-Peraza, J., Gallegos-Cruz, A., Miroshnichenko, L.I.: 2006b, Some features of the sources of relativistic particles at the sun in the solar cycles 21 – 23. Adv. Space Res. 38, 411. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vashenyuk, E.V., Balabin, Y.V., Gvozdevsky, B.B., Schur, L.I.: 2008, Characteristics of relativistic solar cosmic rays during the event of December 13, 2006. Geomagn. Aeron. 48, 149. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Žigman, V., Kudela, K., Grubor, D.: 2014, Response of the Earth’s lower ionosphere to the ground level enhancement event of December 13, 2006. Adv. Space Res. 53, 763. DOI .

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Center of Excellence ReSoLVE (project No. 272157). We acknowledge all the colleagues from the neutron monitor stations, who kindly provided the data used in this analysis, namely: Alma Ata, Apatity, Barentsburg, Calgary, Cape Schmidt, Forth Smith, Goose Bay, Hermanus, Hobart, Inuvik, Irkutsk, Jungfraujoch, Kerguelen, Kiel, Kingston, Lomnicky Štit, Magadan, Mawson, McMurdo, Moscow, Nain, Newark, Norilsk, Oulu, Peawanuck, Rome, Sanae, South Pole, Terre Adelie, Thule, Tixie, Yakutsk. The authors would like to thank the anonymous referee for the comments and suggestions that helped us improve this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Mishev.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mishev, A., Usoskin, I. Analysis of the Ground-Level Enhancements on 14 July 2000 and 13 December 2006 Using Neutron Monitor Data. Sol Phys 291, 1225–1239 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-016-0877-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-016-0877-2

Keywords

Navigation