Variations in rigidity spectrum and anisotropy of cosmic rays during sporadic phenomena in the heliosphere in October?November 2003

Abstract

The variations in the cosmic ray (CR) anisotropy have been studied by the method of spectrographic global survey in the period from October 1 to November 30, 2003. The data of ground-based observations of CR intensity measured by the world network of stations were used. It is shown that at some instants of the period under investigation a bidirectional anisotropy of large amplitude (tens of percent) is observed in the angular distribution of particles. This indicates, first, a carryover of looplike structures of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) by coronal mass ejections and, second, a high degree of regularity of the IMF in these structures. The maximum amplitude of the bidirectional anisotropy (for particles with a rigidity of 4 GV) was observed on October 29 and 31 (∼50% and 30%, respectively) and on November 21–24 (∼15%). Using the data of ground-based and satellite measurements of the CR intensity in the period under study, we have investigated variations of the rigidity spectrum of protons in the energy range from ∼15 MeV to tens of GeV. The analysis was carried out in the context of the model of CR modulation by regular electromagnetic fields of the heliosphere. Parameters of the model rigidity spectrum of CRs are determined for every hour of observation. Using their values we have estimated the characteristics of electromagnetic fields of the solar corona and heliosphere that were responsible for powerful sporadic phenomena from the end of October to the beginning of November and after November 20, 2003.