Forbush Decrease
Solar Flares
05/02/2015
Abstract
Our purpose in conducting this study was to determine if solar flares were a source of the high energy particles that create cosmic rays. Our hypothesis was that solar flares increased the amount of cosmic rays. We began our study by finding an earth-facing solar flare. After we found an earth-facing solar flare we determined when and where the flare's particles would reach the earth. We took our data from Vanderbilt University and ran several flux studies on the data collected for the flare and no flare data. Our results are mind blowing. Our results show that instead of increasing the amount of cosmic rays, solar flares decrease the amount of cosmic rays. This phenomenon is called the Forbush Decrease.
Introduction
Is solar activity a cause of increased Muon Flux? High energy protons collide with air particles in the upper atmosphere and split to create Muons. The source of these high energy protons is a mystery. Scientists have been researching for the source. One of the possible sources is solar flares. Although this is not proven, it can be studied to determine the possibility that it creates these high energy protons.
Procedures
NASA maintains records of large solar flares including where and when they occur. We used data taken by Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. We calculated the time it takes the flare's particles to reach the earth and then found what face of the earth was towards the flare then looked at the date and looked for data collected at that time and at that position. Then we looked at the same position but at a time and date when a solar flare was not occuring.
Results
Our hypothesis for solar flares was that the flux for cosmic rays would be higher than for no solar flares. Our data shows otherwise! We have discovered that when solar flares are earth facing, the flux of cosmic rays decreases! This phenomenon is called the "Forbush Decrease!" When sunspots explode, they often hurl massive clouds of hot gas away from the sun. These clouds contain not only gas but also magnetic force fields, knots of magnetism ripped away from the sun by explosion. The magnetic fields deflect the charged particle, so when the solar flares sweep past the Earth, it also sweeps away many of the electrically-charged cosmic rays. For February 13, 2011 for the M6.6 flare, the flux for the four channels were as follows; 37, 37, 32, 32. For data taken on January 1, 2011 for a no flare data collection the flux for the four channels were as follows; 38, 40, 42, 41.
Figures
Figure 1. M6.6 Channel 1
Figure 2. M6.6 Channel 2
Figure 3. M6.6 Channel 3
Figure 4. M6.6 Channel 4
Figure 5. No Flare Channel 1
Figure 6. No Flare Channel 2
Figure 7. No Flare Channel 3
Figure 8. No Flare Channel 4
Figure 9. Performance Study
Discussion and Conclusions
Our results support the theory of the Forbush Decrease. This states that solar flares cause a lower flux of cosmic rays. This phenomenon has been measured for the past 12 years. The magnetic fields deflect the charged particle, so when the solar flares sweep past the Earth, it also sweeps away many of the electrically-charged cosmic rays. We would suggest that more studies be conducted to continue to support this theory.
Bibliography
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/07oct_afraid/
http://www.tesis.lebedev.ru/en/sun_flares.html
Vanderbilt University