New research has revealed distinct patterns in the particles emitted by the Sun during solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). A team of scientists led by Alexander Warmuth, a heliophysicist at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam in Germany, highlights how these events produce streams of energetic particles with unique characteristics, indicating their origins and behaviors.
The study, which utilized data from the European Space Agency (ESA)-led Solar Orbiter, marks a significant step in understanding solar activity. The Solar Orbiter, capable of approaching within 42 million kilometers of the Sun, allowed researchers to measure a type of particle known as solar energetic electrons (SEEs) in unprecedented detail.
New Insights from the Solar Orbiter
Warmuth’s research identifies two primary categories of SEE events: ‘impulsive’ and ‘gradual.’ Impulsive events occur during solar flares and release energetic electrons in sudden bursts. In contrast, gradual events are linked to CMEs, which emit particles over prolonged periods and wider angular ranges. Warmuth explains, “We see a clear split between these two types, each with distinct features.”
The study analyzed data from over 300 SEE events recorded between 2020 and 2022, making it the most comprehensive analysis of its kind. Co-author Frederic Schuller noted, “It’s the first time we’ve clearly seen this connection between particles in space and their source events taking place at the Sun.” The Solar Orbiter’s instruments worked in tandem to observe both the particle emissions and the corresponding solar activity.
Understanding Solar Dynamics
Researchers discovered that the unique orbit of the Solar Orbiter provided insights into how electrons behave as they travel through space. Co-author Laura Rodríguez-García explained a particular phenomenon where delays in detecting solar flares and radio bursts do not stem from the release of electrons but rather from their interactions with turbulent space environments. She stated, “The electrons encounter turbulence, get scattered in different directions, and so on, so we don’t spot them immediately.”
This research could have implications for future space missions. Daniel Müller, ESA project scientist for the Solar Orbiter, emphasized the importance of this knowledge: “Understanding energetic particles from the Sun will help protect other spacecraft in the future, safeguarding astronauts and satellites.”
The findings were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, and the team anticipates that the Solar Orbiter will continue to provide valuable data about our star, enhancing our understanding of solar phenomena and their impact on the solar system.
