How Do Shock Waves Define the Space-Time Structure of Gradual Solar Energetic Particle Events?

TL;DR

This paper investigates how shock wave variations influence the spatial and temporal distribution of solar energetic protons during gradual SEP events, emphasizing the role of shock structure and particle trapping in shaping observed profiles.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of shock-related processes affecting SEP distributions, highlighting the importance of shock strength and particle trapping in event characterization.

Findings

Shock strength variations drive SEP distribution differences.

Self-amplified Alfven waves trap particles near shocks, spreading intensities.

Reservoirs of trapped SEPs form behind shocks, affecting event profiles.

Abstract

We revisit the full variety of observed temporal and spatial distributions of energetic solar protons in "gradual" solar energetic-particle (SEP) events resulting from the spatial variations in the shock waves that accelerate them. Differences in the shock strength at the solar longitude of a spacecraft and at the footpoint of its connecting magnetic field line, nominally 55 degrees to the west, drive much of that variation. The shock wave itself, together with energetic particles trapped near it by self-amplified Alfven waves, forms an underlying autonomous structure that can drive across magnetic field lines intact, spreading proton intensities in a widening SEP longitude distribution. During the formation of this fundamental structure, historically called an "energetic storm particle" (ESP) event, many SEPs leak away early, amplifying waves as they flow along well-connected field lines and broaden the distribution outward; behind this structure between the shock and the Sun a "reservoir" of quasi-trapped SEPs forms. Very large SEP events are complicated by additional extensive wave growth that can spread an extended ESP-like trapping region. The multiplicity of shock-related processes contributing to the observed SEP profiles causes correlations of the events to be poorly represented by the peak intensities commonly used. In fact, the extensive spatial distributions of SEPs are sometimes interwoven with the structures of the shocks that have accelerated them and sometimes free. We should consider new questions: Which extremes of the shock contribute most to the SEPs profile of an event, (1) the shock at the longitude of a spacecraft, (2) the shock ~55 degrees to the west at the footpoint of the field, or (3) SEPs that have collected in the reservoir? How does the space-time distribution of SEPs correspond with the underlying space-time distribution of shock strength?