Solar circumstances at the time of the cosmic ray increase on January 28, 1967

Abstract

Solar circumstances have been evaluated for January 28, 1967, the date of an observed ground level enhancement of cosmic rays which was not preceded by observation of a suitably great Hα flare. On the visible solar hemisphere, a bright subflare at S23° E19° occurred in appropriate time association with the cosmic ray event, and was accompanied by weak X-ray enhancement and radio frequency emission. If this flare, alone, or in combination with other minor flares observed on the visible hemisphere on January 28 was the source of the energetic cosmic rays recorded on that date, then current thinking regarding the characteristics of cosmic ray flares must be modified.