Gamma-Ray Polarimetry of Two X-Class Solar Flares
arXiv:astro-ph/0510588 · doi:10.1086/498930
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.
arXiv comment33 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
References in corpus (4)
Cited by in corpus (16)
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