The cosmic-ray flare effect: 1. Some new methods of analysis

Abstract

A systematic method for determining the angular dependence of the cosmic radiation in the vicinity of the earth during a cosmic-ray solar flare effect, and a method for determining the rigidity spectrum of the radiation during the anisotropic phase of a flare effect, are described. In the appendixes are presented (1) calculations of the asymptotic directions of approach of particles using a simulation of the geomagnetic field which includes spherical surface harmonics up to the sixth degree; (2) a method of correcting flare observations to a given atmospheric pressure level which takes into account the short attenuation length of the flare radiation; and (3) a comparison which shows that a number of high-latitude sea-level neutron monitors are strictly comparable despite differences in their geometries.