Prompt arrival of solar energetic particles from Far Eastern Events: The role of large‐scale interplanetary magnetic field structure

Abstract

Intensity‐time profiles of solar energetic particle enhancements generally show an asymmetry with respect to the heliolongitude of the associated solar event. Particles arrive promptly from events to the west of an observer because of good magnetic connection whereas particle enhancements from poorly connected eastern source regions usually show much slower onsets. However, some 15% of eastern events do show prompt onsets. Two prompt particle enhancements associated with eastern solar events are studied using data from the Goddard Space Flight Center instruments on the ISEE 3 and IMP 8 spacecraft. In both events the prompt particle onset was observed when the spacecraft were in a postshock plasma region, apparently within a magnetic bottle. We suggest that the magnetic bottle extended back to the Sun and served as a channel for fast particle propagation to the spacecraft. Particles accelerated at an expanding coronal shock initiated by the eastern event could be injected onto field lines in the foot of the bottle.