Solar Neutron Event in Association with a Large Solar Flare on 2000 November 24

Abstract

Solar neutrons have been detected using the neutron monitor located at Mount Chacaltaya, Bolivia, in association with a large solar flare on 2000 November 24. This is the first detection of solar neutrons by a neutron monitor that has been reported so far in solar cycle 23. The statistical significance of the detection is 5.5 σ. In this flare, the intense emission of hard X-rays and γ-rays has been observed by the Yohkoh Hard X-ray Telescope (HXT) and Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS), respectively. The production time of solar neutrons is better correlated with those of hard X-rays and γ-rays than with the production time of soft X-rays. The observations of the solar neutrons on the ground have been limited to solar flares with soft X-ray class greater than X8 in former solar cycles. In this cycle, however, neutrons were detected associated with an X2.3 solar flare on 2000 November 24. This is the first report of the detection of solar neutrons on the ground associated with a solar flare with an X-ray class smaller than X8.