Gamma-Ray Polarimetry of Two X-Class Solar Flares
Astrophysics
2009-11-13 v1
Abstract
We have performed the first polarimetry of solar flare emission at gamma-ray energies (0.2-1 MeV). These observations were performed with the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) for two large flares: the GOES X4.8-class solar flare of 2002 July 23, and the X17-class flare of 2003 October 28. We have marginal polarization detections in both flares, at levels of 21% +/- 9% and -11% +/- 5% respectively. These measurements significantly constrain the levels and directions of solar flare gamma-ray polarization, and begin to probe the underlying electron distributions.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0510588,
title = {Gamma-Ray Polarimetry of Two X-Class Solar Flares},
author = {Steven E. Boggs and W. Coburn and E. Kalemci},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0510588},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
33 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ