Comptel measurements of solar flare neutrons

Authors

James M. Ryan, University of New HampshireFollow
K Bennett, ESTEC
H Debrunner, University of Berne
D J. Forrest, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
J Lockwood, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
M Loomis, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Mark L. McConnell, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
D Morris, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
V. Schonfelder, Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestriche PhysikFollow
B Swanenburg, SRON
W Webber, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

Abstract

The ability to measure solar flare neutrons by the COMPTEL γ-ray telescope on-board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory has been demonstrated during the observations of the powerful solar flares of June 1991 from Active Region 6659. We present intensity-time profiles and count rate spectra from the impulsive X10 flare on 1991 June 19 and the prolonged X12+ flare on 1991 June 15. The emission of neutrons during the 9 June flare is coincident in time with the impulsive γ-ray emission, while the neutron emission during the 15 June flare takes place from the time of the X-ray maximum and for at least 30 minutes thereafter. The detected neutrons can also be used to image the Sun in heavy particles, the first time a celestial object has been imaged in radiation other than electromagnetic radiation.

Department

Physics

Publication Date

9-1993

Journal Title

Advances in Space Research

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/0273-1177(93)90487-V

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

J. Ryan, K. Bennett, H. Debrunner, D. Forrest, J. Lockwood, M. Loomis, M. McConnell, D. Morris, V. Schönfelder, B. N. Swanenburg, and W. Webber, ‘Comptel measurements of solar flare neutrons’, Advances in Space Research, vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 255–258, Sep. 1993.