1803.05436
Evidence for a new component of high-energy solar gamma-ray production
Linden, et al
The observed multi-GeV gamma-ray emission from the solar disk --- sourced by hadronic cosmic rays interacting with gas, and affected by complex magnetic fields --- is not understood. Utilizing and improve analysis of the Fermi-LAT data that includes the first resolved imaging of the disk, find strong evidence that this emission is produced by two separate mechanisms. Between 2010-2017 (the rise to and foo from solar maximum), the gamma-ray emission is dominated by a polar components. Between 2008-2009 (solar minimum) this component remains present, but the total emission is instead dominated by a new equatorial component with a brighter flux and harder spectrum. Most strikingly, although 6 gamma rays above 100 GeV are observed during the 1.4 years of solar minimum, none are observed during the next 7.8 years. These features, along with a 30-50 GeV spectral dip which will be discussed in a companion paper, were not anticipated by theory. To understand the underlying physics, Fermi and HAWC observations of the imminent Cycle25 solar minimum are crucial.
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