Radial Variation of Suprathermal Particles Associated with Corotating Interaction Regions

Abstract

The first three years of Solar Orbiter operations have enabled robust sampling of the intensity and composition of suprathermal particles within the inner heliosphere. This includes a multitude of observations of suprathermal ions associated with Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs), with corresponding observations at 1 au with measurements from the Ultra-Low-Energy Isotope Spectrometer (ULEIS) on the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) mission and the Suprathermal Ion Telescope (SIT) on the Solar-Terrestrial Relations Observatory-Ahead (STEREO-A) spacecraft. Comparing observations between these spacecraft allows for a statistical view of the radial variations of CIR-associated suprathermal particles by composition in the inner heliosphere, allowing for greater insight into energetic particle transport within the inner heliosphere. This study expands on early results from Solar Orbiter and ACE to now encompass the first three years of Solar Orbiter operations, as well as include STEREO-A measurements. Comparisons to historical studies of CIR-associated energetic protons are also expanded in the survey of CIR-associated suprathermal particles from Solar Orbiter, ACE, and STEREO-A.