Solar Energetic Particle Reflection by Precursor ICMEs: Multi-spacecraft Observations of Bi-Directional Electron Beams at 1 AU

TL;DR

This study reports multi-spacecraft observations of bi-directional energetic electron beams at 1 AU, suggesting reflection off precursor ICMEs, which poses a new hazard for astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit.

Contribution

First detection of inverse velocity dispersion signatures in energetic electrons at Earth's orbit, indicating reflection by precursor ICMEs.

Findings

Inverse velocity dispersion observed in electron spectra.

Counter-streaming electrons traveled 1-2 AU.

ICMEs beyond 1 AU reflect energetic particles.

Abstract

We present case studies of two impulsive solar energetic electron (SEE) events during which particles at energies from 1-600 keV were detected by THEMIS-ARTEMIS orbiting the Moon, Wind at Earth's first Lagrange point, and (for one event) STEREO-A located at 1 AU, off the Sun-Earth line. The SEEs were initially highly anisotropic, traveling outward along the magnetic field with distinct energy-time dispersion. For one event, the spectra contained inverse velocity dispersion (IVD) signatures, whereby electrons at intermediate energies arrived to the spacecraft before those at higher energies. Similar features were recently discovered within 1 AU for energetic protons; this represents the first IVD detection for energetic electrons at Earth's orbital distance. During both events, a second beam of counter-streaming electrons was detected after a short time. Based on the time-delay in the detections at various energies, the path traveled by these counter-streaming electrons was on the order of 1-2 AU. We show that an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) passed the spacecraft a few days prior to the onset of each event and was located beyond 1 AU when the SEEs were detected, suggesting that the electrons were part of the same population, but reflected off the shock front of these precursor ICMEs. In the context of solar system exploration, this represents an unidentified hazard for astronaut safety beyond low-Earth orbit: although the initial phase of impulsive SEE events typically stream anti-Sunward, ICMEs located beyond Earth provide a mechanism for hazardous particles to travel Sunward during extreme events.