The source regions of solar energetic particles detected by widely separated spacecraft

Abstract

We studied the source regions of 12 solar energetic particle (SEP) events seen between 2010 August and 2012 January at STEREO-A, B, and/or Earth (Advanced Composition Explorer/Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/GOES), when the two STEREO spacecraft were separated by about 180°. All events were associated with flares (C1 to X6) and fast coronal mass ejections and, except for one, accompanied by type II radio bursts. We have determined the arrival times of the SEPs at the three positions. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) waves, observed in the 195 Å and 193 Å channels of STEREO and the Solar Dynamics Observatory, are tracked across the Sun to determine their arrival time at the photospheric source of open field lines connecting to the spacecraft. There is a good correlation between the EUV wave arrival times at the connecting footpoints and the SEP onset times. The delay time between electron onset and the EUV wave reaching the connecting footpoint is independent of distance from the flare site. The proton delay time increases with distance from the flare site. In three of the events, secondary flare sites may have also contributed to the wide longitudinal spread of SEPs. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.