Observations of Solar Neutron Events by Ground Based Detectors, and Their Interpretation

Abstract

According to Aushev et al. (1999), the Tyan Shan high altitude neutron monitor has a favourable location and good data statistics for solar neutron observations; however, only one enhancement of June 15, 1991 has been attributed to primary solar neutrons during 1976–1998 years. The work of Aushev et al. (1999) presents a search for other possible solar neutron events in the Tyan Shan NM data. The catalogue of major x-ray events registered by the GOES satellites and the available information on the hard x-ray and gamma solar emission obtained aboard the SMM and CGRO satellites were used in this search. For each event from the catalogue, Aushev et al. (1999) calculated an expected response of the Alma-Ata neutron monitor to the flux of solar neutrons like that observed on June 3, 1982. Possible candidates were chosen by comparing expectations with the real NM count rate. Some particular candidates and the statistics of the NM count rate close to onset of energetic solar events are discussed.