2005/10/19 by Steven E. Boggs, W. Coburn, E. Kalemci · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/498930
published as Astrophys.J.638:1129-1139,2006 · 33 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
arxiv created 2005/10/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
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.