Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Possible evidence for a rigidity-dependent release of relativistic protons from the solar corona

  • Published:
Space Science Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A model of the time evolving relativistic solar proton spectra for the 7 May 1978 ground level solar cosmic ray event is presented. This event, with associated cosmic ray neutron monitor increases of over 100% and containing relativistic particles with energies greater than 10 GeV/nucleon was characterized by an extreme anisotropy and a rapidly evolving spectrum, particularly during the initial phase. The observational data from cosmic ray neutron monitors viewing in the ‘anti-Sun’ direction (180° away from the initial solar particle direction) indicates that a back scatter pulse of ∼ 4% of the primary pulse was observed at the Earth ∼ 20 min after the event onset. Previous attempts to model the solar particle spectrum found consistent and systematic differences between the theoretically calculated cosmic ray increase and the actual increase as observed by neutron monitors. In order to reconcile these differences, we have concluded that the observational data give evidence for a rigidity dependent release of relativistic solar protons from the solar corona during the very early stages of this event.

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

  • Attolini, M. R., Cavani, C., and Cecchini, S.: 1979, 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 12, 307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barouch, E. and Burlaga, L. F.: 1976, J. Geophys. Res. 81, 2103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barouch, E. and King, J. H.: 1975, 14th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 3, 1036.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael, H. and Steljes, J. F.: 1961, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, AECL-1387.

  • Carmichael, H.: 1962, Space Sci. Rev. 1, 28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cliver, E. W., Kahler, S. W., Shea, M. A., and Smart, D. F.: 1981, 17th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 10, 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Debrunner, H. and Lockwood, J. A.: 1979, 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 5, 218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Debrunner, H. and Lockwood, J. A.: 1980, J. Geophys. Res. 85, 6853.

    Google Scholar 

  • Filippov, A. T., Filippov, V. A., and Chirkov, N. P.: 1979, 16th Internationa! Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 4, 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, J. H.: 1979, Interplanetary Medium Data Book-Supplement 1, NSSDC/WDC-A-R & S 79–08, NASA, GSFC, Greenbelt, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood, J. A. and Shea, M. A.: 1961, J. Geophys. Res. 66, 3083.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood, J. A., Webber, W. R., and Hsieh, L.: 1974, J. Geophys. Res. 79, 4149.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, K. G.: 1962a, J. Geophys. Res. 67, 423.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, K. G.: 1962b, J. Geophys. Res. 67, 435.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, K. G.: 1962c, J. Geophys. Res. 67, 447.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, K. G., Rao, U. R., and Bukata, R. P.: 1967, J. Geophys. Res. 72, 4293.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, K. G., Rao, U. R., Fowler, B. C., Shea, M. A., and Smart, D. F.: 1968, in C. M. Minnis (ed.), Annals of the IQSY 1, MIT Press, Cambridge, p. 198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakurai, K., Yamashita, Y., and Kozawa, Y.: 1979, 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 5, 232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schatten, K. H. and Mullan, D. J.: 1977, J. Geophys. Res. 82, 5609.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea, M. A. and Smart, D. F.: 1975, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories Technical Report AFCRL-TR-75-0247.

  • Shea, M. A., Smart, D. F., and Carmichael, H.: 1976, Air Force Geophysics Research Laboratory Technical Report AFGL-TR-76-0115.

  • Shea, M. A., Smart, D. F., Arens, M., Bercovitch, M., Chiba, T., Debrunner, H., Dorman, L. I., Duggal, S. P., Fenton, A. G., Fluckiger, E., Galli, M., Hatton, C. J., Humble, J. E., Jodogne, J. C., Konig, P. J., Lazutin, L. L., Lockwood, J. A., Pomerantz, M. A., Rohrs, K., Shafer, Yu. G., Stoker, P. H., Storini, M., Takahashi, H., Tanskanen, P. J., Venkatesan, D., Wada, M., and Wibberenz, G.: 1979a, 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 5, 226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea, M. A., Smart, D. F., Tanskanen, P. J., and Humble, J. E.: 1979b, 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 12, 249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smart, D. F., Shea, M. A., Humble, J. E., and Tanskanen, P. J.: 1979, 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 5, 238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solar-Geophysical Data: 1978a, p. 411.

  • Solar-Geophysical Data: 1978b, p. 406.

  • Steljes, J. F., Carmichael, H., and McCracken, K. G.: 1961, J. Geophys. Res. 66, 1363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wibberenz, G.: 1979, 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Conference Papers 14, 234.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, 01731, Bedford, MA, USA

    M. A. Shea & D. F. Smart

Authors
  1. M. A. Shea
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. F. Smart
    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

Shea, M.A., Smart, D.F. Possible evidence for a rigidity-dependent release of relativistic protons from the solar corona. Space Sci Rev 32, 251–271 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225188

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225188

Keywords

Search

Navigation