The anomalous entry of low-rigidity solar cosmic rays into the geomagnetic field

The probable parent-molecules of radicals such as C3 and N2+ are discussed, and it is concluded that cometary nuclei may contain complicated organic molecules, such as C3H4, CH2N2, and C4H2. It is suggested that these molecules are formed by radiation synthesis in solid phase. In a time interval of order 107 to 109 yr bombardment from cosmic rays would be expected to transform the chemical composition to a depth of 1 m. Solar cosmic rays do not penetrate as far, and as a result the surface layer of the nucleus can be enriched with unsaturated hydrocarbons. After a critical concentration of this explosive material is reached a further burst of solar cosmic rays can initiate an explosion and thus an outburst in the comet's brightness. This mechanism is the only one advanced to date that can explain the synchronism of the energy output over the whole nuclear surface.

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The influence of nonthermal particles and radiation on the charge state of heavy ions in solar cosmic rays

Astronomy Reports ◽

10.1134/1.1800176 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 48 (9) ◽

pp. 759-768

Author(s):

Yu. Yu. Kartavykh ◽

V. M. Ostryakov ◽

E. Möbius ◽

M. A. Popecki

Keyword(s):

Cosmic Rays ◽

Charge State ◽

Heavy Ions ◽

Solar Cosmic Rays ◽

Nonthermal Particles

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Propagation of an MHD Shock in the Vicinity of a Magnetic Neutral Sheet

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900067802 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 91 ◽

pp. 323-326

Author(s):

D. J. Mullan ◽

R. S. Steinolfson

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Cosmic Rays ◽

Solar Corona ◽

Large Scale ◽

Field Structure ◽

Neutral Sheet ◽

Solar Cosmic Rays ◽

Magnetic Field Structure ◽

Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽

Highly Correlated

The acceleration of solar cosmic rays in association with certain solar flares is known to be highly correlated with the propagation of an MHD shock through the solar corona (Svestka, 1976). The spatial structure of the sources of solar cosmic rays will be determined by those regions of the corona which are accessible to the flare-induced shock. The regions to which the flare shock is permitted to propagate are determined by the large scale magnetic field structure in the corona. McIntosh (1972, 1979) has demonstrated that quiescent filaments form a single continuous feature (a “baseball stitch”) around the surface of the sun. It is known that helmet streamers overlie quiescent filaments (Pneuman, 1975), and these helmet streamers contain large magnetic neutral sheets which are oriented essentially radially. Hence the magnetic field structure in the low solar corona is characterized by a large-scale radial neutral sheet which weaves around the entire sun following the “baseball stitch”. There is therefore a high probability that as a shock propagates away from a flare, it will eventually encounter this large neutral sheet.

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