Solar hard X-ray and gamma-ray observations from GRANAT

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (15) References (52) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Solar Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Observations from GRANAT Vilmer, N. Abstract Hard X-rays and gamma-rays are the most direct signature of the energetic electrons and ions which are accelerated during solar flares. Since the beginning of 1990 the PHEBUS instrument and the SIGMA anticoincidence shield aboard GRANAT have provided hard X-ray and gamma-ray observations of solar bursts in the energy range 0.075-124 and 0.200-15 MeV, respectively. After a brief description of the experiments, we present some results obtained on solar bursts recorded in 1990 and 1991 June. Special emphasis is given to the results related with particle acceleration during solar flares. The first part of the review is devoted to the constraints obtained on the electron acceleration timescale through the analysis of the temporal characteristics of the bursts. Combined studies of hard X-ray and gamma-ray emissions from PHEBUS and radio emissions from the Nancay Multifrequency Radioheliograph are used to infer constraints on the coronal magnetic topology involved in flares. The characteristics (location, spectrum) of the radio-emitting sources are found to vary within a flare from one hard X-ray peak to the other. Hard X-ray and gamma-ray burst onsets and rapid increases of the greater than 10 MeV emission are coincident with changes in the associated radio emission pattern. These results will be discussed in the context of the flare energy release. The second part of the paper concerns the heliocentric angle distribution of greater than 10 MeV events and presents more detailed observations of some of the largest flares in the gamma-ray line and the high-energy domains produced by ultrarelativistic electrons and greater than 100 MeV ions/nucleon. The PHEBUS observations of the gamma-ray line flare of 11 June 1991 have been used to deduce the hardness of the accelerated ion spectrum. The link between the main part of the flare and the late long-lasting greater 50 MeV emission detected by Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET)/COMPTON is discussed. Finally some observations of the large 1990 May 24 flare which produced a large neutron event at ground level are presented. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series Pub Date: February 1994 DOI: 10.1086/191882 Bibcode: 1994ApJS...90..611V Keywords: Energetic Particles; Gamma Ray Astronomy; Particle Acceleration; Solar Flares; Solar X-Rays; Angular Distribution; Energy Spectra; Solar Corona; Solar Radio Bursts; Topology; Solar Physics; SUN: FLARES; SUN: X-RAYS; GAMMA RAYS; ACCELERATION OF PARTICLES; SUN: RADIO RADIATION full text sources ADS |