Influence of large-scale interplanetary structures on the propagation of solar energetic particles: The multi-spacecraft event on 2021 October 9

An intense solar energetic particle (SEP) event was observed on 2021 October 9 by multiple spacecraft distributed near the ecliptic plane at heliocentric radial distances R≲1 au and within a narrow range of heliolongitudes. A stream interaction region (SIR), sequentially observed by Parker Solar Probe (PSP) at R=0.76 au and 48◦ east from Earth (ϕ=E48◦), STEREO-A (at R=0.96 au, ϕ=E39◦), Solar Orbiter (SolO; at R=0.68 au, ϕ=E15◦), BepiColombo (at R=0.33 au, ϕ=W02◦), and near-Earth spacecraft, regulated the observed intensity-time profiles and the anisotropic character of the SEP event. PSP, STEREO-A and SolO detected strong anisotropies at the onset of the SEP event, which resulted from the fact that PSP and STEREO-A were in the declining-speed region of the solar wind stream responsible for the SIR, and from the passage of a steady magnetic field structure by SolO during the onset of the event. By contrast, the intensity-time profiles observed near-Earth displayed a delayed onset at proton energies ≳13 MeV and an accumulation of ≲5 MeV protons between the SIR and the shock driven by the parent coronal mass ejection (CME). Even though BepiColombo, STEREO A, and SolO were nominally connected to the same region of the Sun, the intensity-time profiles at BepiColombo resemble those observed near Earth, with the bulk of low-energy ions also confined between the SIR and the CME-driven shock. This event exemplifies the impact that intervening large-scale interplanetary structures, such as corotating SIRs, have in shaping the properties of SEP events.

Jaar van publicatie:2022

Toegankelijkheid:Open