Characterizing ICME-related Forbush Decreases at Mercury using MESSENGER Observations: Identification of a One or Two-Step Structure

TL;DR

This study analyzes GCR flux decreases caused by ICMEs at Mercury using MESSENGER data, revealing a common two-step structure linked to magnetic boundaries and showing that the decrease magnitude diminishes with distance from the Sun.

Contribution

It characterizes ICME-related Forbush decreases at Mercury, identifying a prevalent two-step structure and comparing these features across different heliocentric distances.

Findings

79% of ICMEs are associated with Forbush decreases

73% of Fds exhibit a two-step structure

GCR flux decrease is greater at Mercury and diminishes with distance

Abstract

The large-scale magnetic structure of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) has been shown to cause decreases in the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux measured in situ by spacecraft, known as Forbush decreases (Fds). We use measurements of the GCR count rate obtained by MESSENGER during its orbital phase around Mercury to identify such Fds related to the passage of ICMEs and characterize their structure. Of the 42 ICMEs with corresponding high-quality GCR data, 79% are associated with a Fd. Thus a total of 33 ICME-related Fds were identified, 24 of which (73%) have a two-step structure. We use a superposed epoch analysis to build an average Fd profile at MESSENGER and find that despite the variability of individual events, a two-step structure is produced and is directly linked with the magnetic boundaries of the ICME. By using results from previous studies at Earth and Mars, we also address whether two-step Fds are more commonly observed closer to the Sun; we found that although likely, this is not conclusive when comparing to the wide range of results of previous studies conducted at Earth. Finally, we find that the percentage decrease in GCR flux of the Fd is greater at MESSENGER on average than at Earth and Mars, decreasing with increasing heliocentric distance. The relationship between the percentage decrease and maximum hourly decrease is also in agreement with previous studies, and follows trends relating to the expansion of ICMEs as they propagate through the heliosphere.