Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gamma-Rays and Neutrons as a Probe of Flare Proton Spectra: the Solar Flare of 11 June 1991

  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The large flare of 11 June 1991 (GOES class X12) was detected by the Total Absorption Shower Counter (TASC) segment of the EGRET gamma-ray telescope on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Significant gamma-ray emission was observed over the entire energy range to which the TASC was sensitive −1 to 140 MeV. Several phases were identified which showed major changes in the intensity and spectral shape of the flare gamma-rays. Furthermore, a 'delayed' phase during which a response consistent with the detection of energetic neutrons and pion-decay gamma-rays was seen, implying a qualitative change in the spectral shape of the accelerated ion spectrum. The similarity of the characteristics of this delayed phase (pion and energetic neutron production) to those in other large flares hint at a common particle acceleration mechanism.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akimov, V. V. et al.: 1991, Proc. 22nd Int. Cosmic Ray Conf., Dublin3, 73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akimov, V. V., Leikov, N. G., Belov, A. V., Chertok, I. M., Kurt, V. G., Magun, A., and Melnikov, V. F.: 1994a, in J. M. Ryan and W. T. Vestrand (eds.), High-Energy Solar Phenomena, AIP,New York, p. 106.

  • Akimov, V. V., Leikov, N. G., Kurt, V. G., and Chertok, I. M.: 1994b, in J. M. Ryan and W. T. Vestrand (eds.), High-Energy Solar Phenomena, AIP, New York, p. 130.

  • Chiba, N. et al.: 1992, Astroparticle Phys.1, 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chupp, E. L.: 1963, in W. N. Hess (ed.), AAS-NASA Symposium on the Physics of Solar Flares, NASA SP-50, p. 445.

  • Chupp, E. L., Forrest, D. J., Ryan, J. M., Heslin, J., Reppin, C., Pinkau, K., Kanbach, G., Rieger, E., and Share, G.: 1982, Astrophys. J.263, L95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chupp, E. L., Debrunner, H., Flückiger, E., Forrest, D. J., Golliez, F., Kanbach, G., Vestrand, W. T., Cooper, J., and Share, G.: 1987, Astrophys. J.318, 913.

    Google Scholar 

  • Debrunner, H., Flückiger, E., Chupp, E. L., and Forrest, D. J.: 1983, Proc. 18th Int. Cosmic. Ray Conf.4, 75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolan, J. F. and Fazio, G. G.: 1965, Rev. Geophys.3, 319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunphy, P. P., and Chupp, E. L.: 1994, in J. M. Ryan and W. T. Vestrand (eds.), High-Energy Solar Phenomena, AIP, New York, p. 112.

  • Dunphy, P. P., Chupp, E. L., Popecki, M., Forrest, D. J., Lopiano, D., Shima, T., Spinka, H., Glass, G., Burleson, G., and Beddo, M.: 1989, Experimental Astrophys.2, 233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fireman, E. L.: 1963, in W. N. Hess (ed.), AAS-NASA Symposium on the Physics of Solar Flares, NASA SP-50, p. 279.

  • Forrest, D. J. and Chupp, E. L.: 1983, Nature305, 291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrest, D. J., Vestrand, W. T., Chupp, E. L., Rieger, E., Cooper, J., and Share, G. H.: 1985, Proc.

  • Guglenko, V. G., Efimov, Yu. E., Kocharov, G. E., Kovaltsov, G. A., Mandzhavidze, N. Z., Terekhov, M. M., and Kochaov, L. G.: 1990, Astrophys. J.73, 209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hua, X.-M. and Lingenfelter, R. E.: 1987, Astrophys. J.323, 779.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, E. B. et al.: 1988, IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.NS-27, 364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, C. M.: 1990, CALOR/VAX Users Manual, Applied Science Corporation, Landover, MD.

  • Kanbach, G. et al.: 1988, Space Sci. Rev.49, 69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanbach, G. et al.: 1993, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser.97, 349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kane, S. R. et al.: 1986, Astrophys. J.300, L95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kocharov, G. E., et al.: 1993, Proc. 23rd Int. Cosmic Ray Conf.3, 123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lingenfelter, R. E.: 1969, Solar Phys.8, 341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lingenfelter, R. E. and Ramaty, R.: 1967, in B. S. P. Shen (ed.), High-Energy Nuclear Reactions in Astrophysics,W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, p. 99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandzhavidze, N. and Ramaty, R.: 1992, Astrophys. J.389, 739.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandzhavidze, N. and Ramaty, R.: 1993, Nuclear Physics B. Proc. Suppl.33, 141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandzhavidze, N., Ramaty, R., Bertsch, D. L., and Schneid, E. J.: 1996, in R. Ramaty, N. Mandzhavidze, and X.-M. Hua (eds.), High Energy Solar Physics, AIP, New York, p. 225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muraki, Y et al.: 1991, Proc. 22nd Int. Cosmic Ray Conf.3, 49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, R. J. and Ramaty, R.: 1985, Adv. Space Res.4(7), 127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, R. J., Dermer, C. D., and Ramaty, R.: 1987, Astrophys. J. Suppl.63, 721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, R. J., Share, G. H., Grove, J. E., Johnson, W. N., Kinzer, R. L., Kroeger, R. A., Kurfess, J. D., Strickman, M. S., Matz, S. M., Grabelsky, D. A., Purcell, W. R., Ulmer, M. P., Cameron, R. A., Jung, G. V., Jensen, C. M., Vestrand, W. T., and Forrest, D. J.: 1993, in M. Friedlander, N. Gehrels, and D. J. Macomb (eds.), Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, AIP, New York, p. 619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, W. R.: 1981, The EGS4 Code System, SLAC-265, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Press, W. H., Flannery, B. P., Teukolsky, S. A., and Vetterling, W. T.: 1989, Numerical Recipes: The Art of Scientific Computing, FORTRAN Version, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 524.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prince, T. A., Forrest, D. J., Chupp, E. L., Kanbach, G., and Share, G. H.: 1983, Proc. 18th Int. Cosmic Ray Conf.4, 79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramaty, R., Mandzhavidze, N., Kozlovsky, B., and Skibo, J. G.: 1993, Adv. Space Res.13(9), 275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rank, G., Diehl, R., Lichti, G. G., Schönfelder, V., Varendorff, M., Swanenburg, B. N., Forrest, D., Macri, J., McConnell, M., Ryan, J., Hanlon, L., and Winkler, C.: 1993, in M. Friedlander, N. Gehrels, and D. J. Macomb (eds.), Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, AIP, New York, p. 661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rank, G., Diehl, R., Lichti, G. G., Schönfelder, V., Varendorff, M., Swanenburg, B. N., van Dijk, R., Forrest, D., Macri, J., McConnell, M., Loomis, M., Ryan, J., Bennett, K., and Winkler, C.: 1994, in J. M. Ryan and W. T. Vestrand (eds.), High-Energy Solar Phenomena, AIP, New York, p. 100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rank, G. et al.: 1996, in R. Ramaty, N. Mandzhavidze, and X.-M. Hua (eds.), High Energy Solar Physics, AIP, New York, p. 219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rank, G., Debrunner, H., Lockwood, J., McConnell, M., Ryan, J., and Schönfelder, V.: 1997, Proc. 25th Int. Cosmic Ray Conf.1, 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, E.: 1996, in R. Ramaty, N.Mandzhavidze, and X.-M. Hua (eds.), High Energy Solar Physics, AIP, New York, p. 194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, J. M., and Lee, M. A.: 1991, Astrophys. J.368, 316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, J.M., Forrest,D., Lockwood. J., Loomis,M., McConnell, M., Morris, D., Webber,W., Bennett, K., Hanlon, L., Winkler, C., Debrunner, H., Rank, G., Schönfelder, V., and Swanenburg, B. N.: 1994, in J. M. Ryan and W. T. Vestrand (eds.), High-Energy Solar Phenomena, AIP, New York, p. 89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneid, E. J., Brazier, K. T. S., Kanbach. G., von Montigny, C., Mayer-Hasselwander, H. A., Bertsch, D. L., Fichtel, C. E., Hartman, R. C., Hunter, S. D., Thompson, D. J., Dingus, B. L., Sreekumar, P., Lin, Y. C., Michelson, P. F., Nolan, P. L., Kniffen, D. A., and Mattox, J. R.: 1994, in J. M. Ryan and W. T. Vestrand (eds.), High-Energy Solar Phenomena, AIP, New York, p. 94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneid, E. J., et al.: 1996, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser.120, 299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea, M. A., Smart, D. F., and Pyle, K. R.: 1991, Geophys. Res. Letters18, 1655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smart, D. F. et al.: 1990, Astrophys. J. Suppl.73, 269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solar-Geophysical Data: 1991, Comprehensive Reports, December 1991, Number 568, Part II, p. 104.

  • Suleiman, R. M.: 1995, M.S. Thesis, Physics Department, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH.

  • Tkahashi, K. et al.: 1991, Proc. 22nd Int. Cosmic Ray Conf.3, 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, D. J. et al.: 1993, Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser.86, 629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trottet, G., Vilmer, N., Barat, C., Dezalay, J. P., Talon, R., Sunyaev. R., Kuznetsov, A., and Terekhov, O.: 1993, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser.97, 337.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH , 03824, USA

    Philip P. Dunphy

  2. Physics Department, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH , 03824, USA

    Edward L. Chupp

  3. Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD , 20771, , USA

    David L. Bertsch

  4. Northrop Grumman Corporation, Bethpage, NY , 11714, USA

    Edward J. Schneid

  5. Northrop Grumman Corporation, Baltimore, MD , 21203, USA

    Stephen R. Gottesman

  6. Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, 85740 , Garching, Germany

    Gottfried Kanbach

Authors
  1. Philip P. Dunphy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Edward L. Chupp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David L. Bertsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Edward J. Schneid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Stephen R. Gottesman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Gottfried Kanbach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dunphy, P.P., Chupp, E.L., Bertsch, D.L. et al. Gamma-Rays and Neutrons as a Probe of Flare Proton Spectra: the Solar Flare of 11 June 1991. Solar Physics 187, 45–57 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005143603547

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005143603547

Keywords

Search

Navigation