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We analyze variations of high-energy charged particle populations filling various magnetospheric regions under, inside, and outside of the Van Allen inner and outer electron radiation belts in May 2009. The study is based on the experimental data obtained from the STEP-F and the SphinX instruments placed close to each other aboard the low-Earth circular orbit CORONAS-Photon satellite. Data analysis of particle fluencies collected from the highly sensitive STEP-F device indicates the presence of a persistent electron belt at L = 1.6, i.e., beneath the well-known Van Allen electron inner radiation belt of the Earth's magnetosphere. The electron energy spectrum in this 'new' belt is much steeper than that of the inner belt so that the electrons with energies Ee > 400 keV were almost not recorded on L = 1.6 outside the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). We introduce the concept of effective lowest threshold energies for X-ray detectors used in the solar soft X-ray spectrophotometer SphinX and define their values for two regions: the SAA and the Van Allen outer belt. Different values of lowest threshold energies are directly associated with different slopes of particle energy spectra. Cross-analyses of data obtained from the STEP-F and SphinX instruments initially built for various purposes made it possible to detect the highly anisotropic character of the spatial electron distribution in radiation belts in both Southern and northern hemispheres. We detected also the presence of low-energy electrons at all latitudes during the main phase of a weak geomagnetic storm., Advances in Space Research, in press, 17 pages, 9 figures, 1 table

The state of geomagnetic environment as observed at the ground level is characterized by numerous indices, derived from measurements from numerous magnetic observatories scattered over many longitudes and latitudes. In support, patrol measurements of geomagnetic field components are carried out in near-Earth space using onboard magnetometers that constantly cross geomagnetic field thanks to the orbital motion of the spacecraft. In the same way, high-energy charged particle fluxes trapped by the Earth's magnetic field are monitored along the satellite orbit. In the geomagnetic radiation belts’ environment, the distribution of proton fluxes is mostly less variable, while electron fluxes experience strong variations associated even with weak fluctuations of well-known indices: mid-latitude Kp, and equatorial Dst (related to weak geomagnetic storms). During very strong geomagnetic storms an additional electron radiation belt appears in a slot between outer and inner Van Allen belts. However, even during the period of minimum solar activity when small variations of the geomagnetic field prevail, noticeable changes in electron fluxes are being recorded, including recently discovered presence of additional electron radiation belt at by L=1.6 McIllwain surface.In present research, we used data collected by the two instruments placed next to each other aboard the low Earth (h ≈ 550 km) near polar (φ ≈ 82.50) orbit CORONAS-Photon satellite. We studied responses of the Satellite Telescope of Electrons and Protons (STEP-F) and the Solar photometer in X-rays (SphinX) in May 2009, a period which was characterized by a very weak solar and geomagnetic activity. As geomagnetic indicators we used Kp, Dst-, and SYM-H indices. For SphinX measurements, we extracted 5-second data in the highest energy bin sensitive to detection of charged particles. For STEP-F we analysed 2-second data records in the upper silicon position-sensitive detector while the satellite crossed all three electron radiation belts present in the magnetosphere. We demonstrate variable, belt-dependent high amplitude responses due to energetic electron presence in all three belts as well as specific time-dependent features due to presence of directed particle streams. Examples will be provided and discussed.

During nearly three years of operation, STIX aboard Solar Orbiter observed thousands of flares. Many of them were simultaneously observed by Solar X-Ray Monitor (XSM) on board Indian Chandrayaan-2 circling the Moon. We present results of a multi-wavelength study for one selected flare of M GOES class as seen from 1.a.u. STIX data provided the opportunity for a detailed analysis of hard X-ray emission in several energy bands including the light curves, reconstructed hard X-ray images and spectra. The differential emission measure diagnostics of the flaring plasma have been carried out based on interpretation of the XSM X-ray spectra. Using the differential evolution (DE) approach we have determined the “full” model of emitting source including the temperature, emission measure and elemental abundances as determined simultaneously throughout the flare. We discuss patterns of elemental composition history for individual plasma temperature components.

In this work we aimed to develop the image reconstruction algorithm without any analytical simplifications and restrictions. In our method we abandon Fourier’s approach to image reconstruction, and instead use the number of counts recorded in each detector pixel, and then reconstruct each image using a classical Richardson-Lucy algorithm. Among similar works performed in the past, our approach is based, for the first time, on the real geometry of STIX. We made a preliminary analysis of expected differences in STIX imaging which may occur due to usage of slightly different geometries. The other difference is that we use single-pixel-response maps. Namely, knowing the instrument geometry we are able to calculate the detector response for point sources covering entire the solar disc. Next, we iteratively combine them with varying weights until the best match between reconstructed and observed detector responses is achieved. Preliminary tests revealed that the developed algorithm reproduces high quality images. The algorithm is moderately fast, but the result comparable to CLEAN algorithm is obtained within 20-50 iteration steps which takes less than 2 seconds on typical portable computer configuration. The location, size and intensity of reconstructed sources are very close to simulated ones. Therefore the algorithm is very well suited for the detailed photometry of the solar HXR sources. Moreover, its simplicity allows to improve photon transmission calculation in case of any grids uncertainties measured after the launch.

Using methods of differential evolution (DE), we determined the coronal elemental abundances and the differential emission measure (DEM) distributions for the plasma flaring on 2003 January 21. The analyses have been made based on RESIK X-ray spectra. DE belongs to the family of evolutionary algorithms. DE is conceptually simple and easy to implement, so it has been applied to solve many problems in science and engineering. In this study we apply this method in a new context: simultaneous determination of plasma composition and DEM. In order to increase the confidence of the results obtained using DE, we tested the use of its algorithms by comparing the DE synthesized with respective spectra observed by RESIK. Extensive discussion of the DE method used and the obtained physical characteristics of flaring plasma is presented.

The SOLPEX complex consists of two instruments for recording soft X-ray radiation from the Sun and is a part of the KORTES equipment, which will be installed on board the International Space Station. The first instrument is a fast-rotating multi-crystalagg spectrometer designed to record solar spectra in the range of 0.4–23 A with a time resolution of no less than 0.1 s. The second instrument is a pinhole camera with a focal length of 58 cm. The camera has a field of viewof 2° × 2°, angular resolution of 2 arcmin, and time resolution up to 0.2 s. The energy range is determined by the input filter and is 1–10 keV; the energy resolution is 0.5 keV. The combination of these two instruments makes it possible to locate hot solar sources in the corona, determine their speed, and conduct spectral diagnostics.

We present a description of the recent advances in the development of the KORTES assembly -- the first solar oriented mission designed for the Russian segment of International Space Station. The KORTES consists of several imaging and spectroscopic instruments collectively covering a wide spectral range extending from extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths to X-rays. The EUV telescopes inside KORTES will trace the origination and dynamics of various solar phenomena, e.g. flares, CMEs, eruptions etc. EUV spectra provided by grazing-incidence spectroheliographs will enable precise DEM-diagnostics during these events. The monochromatic X-ray imager will observe the formation of hot plasma in active regions and outside them. The SolpeX module inside KORTES will offer an opportunity to measure fluxes, Doppler shifts and polarization of soft X-ray emission both in lines and continuum. SolpeX observations will contribute to studies of particle beams and chromospheric evaporation. The instrumentation of KORTES will employ a variety of novel multilayer and crystal optics to be discussed. The deployment of KORTES is planned of 2024.

The Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) is the HXR instrument onboard Solar Orbiter designed to observe solar flares over a broad range of flare sizes, between 4-150 keV. We report the first STIX observations of microflares recorded during the instrument commissioning phase in order to investigate the STIX performance at its detection limit. This first result paper focuses on the temporal and spectral evolution of STIX microflares occuring in the AR12765 in June 2020, and compares the STIX measurements with GOES/XRS, SDO/AIA, and Hinode/XRT. For the observed microflares of the GOES A and B class, the STIX peak time at lowest energies is located in the impulsive phase of the flares, well before the GOES peak time. Such a behavior can either be explained by the higher sensitivity of STIX to higher temperatures compared to GOES, or due to the existence of a nonthermal component reaching down to low energies. The interpretation is inconclusive due to limited counting statistics for all but the largest flare in our sample. For this largest flare, the low-energy peak time is clearly due to thermal emission, and the nonthermal component seen at higher energies occurs even earlier. This suggests that the classic thermal explanation might also be favored for the majority of the smaller flares. In combination with EUV and SXR observations, STIX corroborates earlier findings that an isothermal assumption is of limited validity. Future diagnostic efforts should focus on multi-wavelength studies to derive differential emission measure distributions over a wide range of temperatures to accurately describe the energetics of solar flares. Commissioning observations confirm that STIX is working as designed. As a rule of thumb, STIX detects flares as small as the GOES A class. For flares above the GOES B class, detailed spectral and imaging analyses can be performed., Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures

The calcium abundance in flare plasmas is estimated using X-ray spectra from the Solar Maximum Mission Bent Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) during the decays of 194 flares (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES, classifications from B6.4 to X13) occurring between 1980 and 1989. Previous work by Sylwester et al. found that the abundance varied from flare to flare. That analysis is improved on here using updated instrument parameters and by including all calcium lines viewed by the BCS instead of only the resonance line, so greatly enhancing the photon count statistics. The abundance variations are confirmed with the average abundance, A(Ca) (expressed logarithmically with A(H) = 12), equal to 6.77 ± 0.20 for 194 flares (141 of which are new in this study). This range corresponds to factors of between 1.7 and 7.2 larger than the photospheric abundance, and so our results are in line with a “first ionization potential” (FIP) effect whereby low-FIP elements like Ca (FIP = 6.11 eV) have enhanced coronal abundances. The Ca flare abundance is uncorrelated with solar activity indices, but weak correlations are suggested with GOES flare class and duration (larger A(Ca) for smaller and shorter flares). The ponderomotive force theory of Laming explaining the FIP effect gives a range of parameters within which our estimates of A(Ca) agree with the theory. However, this then gives rise to disagreements with previous estimates of the flare silicon and sulfur abundances, although those of argon and iron are in good agreement. Small adjustments of the theory may thus be necessary.

Aims. The Spectrometer Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) on Solar Orbiter is a hard X-ray imaging spectrometer, which covers the energy range from 4 to 150 keV. STIX observes hard X-ray bremsstrahlung emissions from solar flares and therefore provides diagnostics of the hottest (⪆10 MK) flare plasma while quantifying the location, spectrum, and energy content of flare-accelerated nonthermal electrons. Methods. To accomplish this, STIX applies an indirect bigrid Fourier imaging technique using a set of tungsten grids (at pitches from 0.038 to 1 mm) in front of 32 coarsely pixelated CdTe detectors to provide information on angular scales from 7 to 180 arcsec with 1 keV energy resolution (at 6 keV). The imaging concept of STIX has intrinsically low telemetry and it is therefore well-suited to the limited resources available to the Solar Orbiter payload. To further reduce the downlinked data volume, STIX data are binned on board into 32 selectable energy bins and dynamically-adjusted time bins with a typical duration of 1 s during flares. Results. Through hard X-ray diagnostics, STIX provides critical information for understanding the acceleration of electrons at the Sun and their transport into interplanetary space and for determining the magnetic connection of Solar Orbiter back to the Sun. In this way, STIX serves to link Solar Orbiter’s remote and in-situ measurements.

The Polish X-ray spectrometer RESIK observed the spectra in four wavelength bands from 3.3 A to 6.1 A. This spectral range contains many emission lines of H- and He-like ions for Si, S, Ar and K formed in the high temperature of solar coronal plasma. Analysis of measured spectra gives a possibility to study the differential emission measure distributions (DEM) in the temperature range between 1 MK and 30 MK. We present the analysis of DEM distributions of the multi-peaked C9.8 flare observed by RESIK on 9 January 2003 adopting the model of elementary flare profile (EFP). The model allows to distinguish the individual flare components based on the observed light curves in selected spectral bands.

The radiation belts of the Earth and dynamics of high energy electron and proton fluxes in the magnetosphere in particular are still the target for intensive exploration by the scientific community. Quickly grown number of artificial Earth satellites including CubeSats around the Earth supports continuous improvement of the space weather forecast quality. As the charged space environment affects the wide aspects of human civilization life, the sustained monitoring of energized elementary particles is a current task. Different methods and sensors are developed to provide measurements of particle fluxes at the low Earth and geostationary orbits, at Lagrangian points and in the interplanetary space. Among them, there are silicon PIN, solid state, surface barrier detectors, organic and inorganic scintillation detectors, large area photodiodes, multi-pixelated silicon photomultipliers, etc. The gamma- and X-rays detectors are used rather often to study non-steady variations in magnetospheric particle fluxes because of a bremsstrahlung generation by precipitating subrelativistic electrons present in the upper layers of the atmosphere. We present specific features in constructing of the Satellite Telescope of Electrons and Protons STEP-F and the solar soft X-ray spectrophotometer SphinX that allowed for discovery of some interesting phenomena in radiation belts dynamics in 2009. Technical and scientific parameters of both instruments are demonstrated as well as approaches in respective development of sensors and electronics. We present some results of data processing like detection of three-belt structure of electron fluxes, the anisotropic character of particle motion in the outer and inner belts, lower limits of the energies for particle registration by the X-ray photometer.

In recent years, interest in revealing, registering, analyzing and interpretation of the short-term (0.1-1 s) sharp increases in the number of high-energy charged particles at LEO (Low Earth Orbit) has substantially increased. This is due to the profound influence of geomagnetic disturbances on the state of the Van Allen radiation belts, one of the important components of space weather. At the same time, in recent years, principally new technologies have been rapidly developed, both in the area of detection of the elementary charged particles and in construction of space microelectronics. In particular, over the past years, nanosatellites in the CubeSat standard were developed, manufactured and launched into LEO, whose mission was to record and study the characteristics of electron microbursts precipitating from the Earth radiation belts. Here, we present the concept of a compact instrument developed in the 1U CubeSat standard which is aimed to study the nature of high-energy charged particles microbursts present in the Earth magnetosphere. A functional diagram, a description of the structural modules and the technical characteristics of the miniaturized electron-proton recorder-analyzer MiRA_ep are shown. We have carried out and present the results of computer simulation of the physical processes caused by high-energy electron and proton passage through sensors of the detector head of the MiRA_ep device. The simulation was carried out with the Monte Carlo method using the CERN GEANT4 package. The values of most probable deposited energies were calculated for a wide range of primary electrons and proton energies. This allowed us to make a conclusion about the effective energy ranges of the proposed instrument. The results of these simulations will be used in developing analog and digital signal processing electronic units.

We present a novel X-ray assembly of functionally related instrument blocks intended to measure solar flare and active region (AR) spectra from within the Russian instrument complex KORTES, to be mounted aboard the International Space Station (ISS). SolpeX consists of three blocks: fast-rotating multiple flat crystal Bragg spectrometer, pin-hole X-ray spectral imager and Bragg polarimeter. This combination of measuring blocks will offer an opportunity to detect/measure possible X-ray polarization in soft X-ray emission lines/continuum and record spectra of solar flares, in particular during their impulsive phases. Polarized Bremsstrahlung and line emission may arise from presence of directed particle beams colliding with denser regions of flares. As a result of evaporation, the X-ray spectral-components are expected to be Doppler shifted, which will also be measured. In this paper, we present details of the construction of three SolpeX blocks and discuss their functionality. Delivery of KORTES with SolpeX to ISS is expected in 2020/2021.

The SphinX X-ray spectrophotometer on the CORONAS-PHOTON mission observed the 1 – 15 keV X-ray spectrum of the spatially integrated solar corona during the deep minimum of 2009, when solar activity was exceptionally low. Its sensitivity for energies $> 1.2~\mbox{keV}$ was higher than that of any other solar X-ray spectrometer in orbit at the time, including the detectors on the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). Using much improved instrumental data than was used previously, we analysed SphinX spectra in 576 intervals for which there was no discernible activity (NA), 40 intervals when there were X-ray brightenings (B), and 16 intervals when there were micro-flares with peak emission less than GOES A1 (F). An instrumental background spectrum, formed over 34 hours of spacecraft night-time periods and including electronic noise and particle radiation, was subtracted from the solar spectra. Theoretical spectra were used to deduce temperatures on an isothermal assumption for the NA, B, and F intervals (1.69, 1.81, and 1.86 MK, respectively). Differential emission measure (DEM) analysis for the same spectra revealed a “cooler” component ($\log T = 6.2$ or $T \approx 1.6~\mbox{MK}$) in each case, but with a second hotter component having a less well-defined peak temperature varying from $\approx 2.5$ to $\approx 3.5~\mbox{MK}$ ($\log T = 6.4$ and 6.55) and an emission measure between two and three orders smaller than that of the cooler component. These results are similar to those obtained at times just after solar minimum with the EVE instrument. A very hot component that might indicate the signature of nano-flare heating of the corona is not evident in SphinX data.

We present a multiwavelength analysis of the long-duration flare observed on 15 April 2002 (soft X-ray peak time at 03:55 UT, ). This flare occurred on the disk (S15W01) in NOAA 9906 and was observed by a number of space instruments including the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO/EIT), the RESIK spectrometer onboard the Coronas-F spacecraft, and the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). We have performed a complex analysis of these measurements and studied the morphology and physical parameters characterizing the conditions in flaring plasmas. The 195 Å SOHO/EIT images have been used to study evolution of flaring loops. Analysis of RHESSI data provided the opportunity for a detailed analysis of hard X-ray emission with 1 keV energy resolution. We have used Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) observations for isothermal interpretation of the X-ray measurements. Temperature diagnostics of the flaring plasma have been carried out by means of a differential emission measure (DEM) analysis based on RESIK X-ray spectra. The DEM distributions were calculated based on two methods: Withbroe–Sylwester (WS) and differential evolution (DE). Both of the approaches provided similar results. We obtained two-component DEM distributions independent of the evolutionary flare phase. We found that the amount of energy of thermal plasma for this flare is of the order of 1030 ergs. The values obtained by assuming an isothermal plasma model are lower than those determined from the differential emission measure distributions.

International audience; The Interhelioprobe mission aims to investigate the inner heliosphere and the Sun from close distances (up to 0.3 AU) and from out of the ecliptic plane (up to 30°). In this paper we present the relevance of the mission and its main scientific objectives, describe the scientific payload, ballistic scenario and orbits of the spacecraft. Possibilities of scientific cooperation with other solar and heliospheric space missions are also mentioned.

Interhelioprobe (IHP), an analogue to the ESA Solar Orbiter, is the prospective Russian space solar observatory intended for in-situ and remote sensing investigations of the Sun and the inner heliosphere from a heliocentric orbit with the perihelion of about 60 solar radii. One of several instruments on board will be the Bragg crystal spectrometer ChemiX which will measure X-ray spectra from solar corona structures. Analysis of the spectra will allow the determination of the elemental composition of plasma in hot coronal sources like flares and active regions. ChemiX is under development at the Wroclaw Solar Physics Division of the Polish Academy of Sciences Space Research Centre in collaboration with an international team (see the co-author list). This paper gives an overview of the ChemiX scientific goals and design preparatory to phase B of the instrument development.

The Bent Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) on the NASA Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft observed the X-ray spectra of numerous solar flares during the periods 1980 February to November and 1984~--~1989. The instrument, the first of its kind to use curved crystal technology, observed the resonance lines of He-like Ca (\caxix) and Fe (\fexxv) and neighboring satellite lines, allowing the study of the rapid evolution of flare plasma temperature, turbulence, mass motions etc. To date there has not been a solar X-ray spectrometer with comparable spectral and time resolution, while subsequent solar cycles have delivered far fewer and less intense flares. The BCS data archive thus offers an unparalleled resource for flare studies. A recent re-assessment of the BCS calibration and its operations is extended here by using data during a spacecraft scan in the course of a flare on 1980 November~6 that highlights small deformations in the crystal curvature of the important channel~1 (viewing lines of \caxix\ and satellites). The results explain long-standing anomalies in spectral line ratios which have been widely discussed in the past. We also provide an in-flight estimation of the BCS collimator field of view which improves the absolute intensity calibration of the BCS. The BCS channel~1 background is shown to be entirely due to solar continuum radiation, confirming earlier analyses implying a time-variable flare abundance of Ca. We suggest that BCS high-resolution \caxix\ and \fexxv\ line spectra be used as templates for the analysis of X-ray spectra of non-solar sources., Comment: To be published, Astrophysical Journal

In 2009, the Russian Complex Orbital Observations Near-Earth of Activity of the Sun (CORONAS-Photon) spacecraft was launched, carrying the Polish Solar PHotometer In X-rays (SphinX). The SphinX was most sensitive in the spectral range 1.2 – 15 keV, thus an excellent opportunity appeared for comparison with the low-energy end of Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) spectra. Common spectral measurements with these instruments cover the range where most of the flare energy is accumulated. We have chosen four consecutive small solar events observed on 4 July 2009 at 13:43 UT, 13:48 UT, 13:52 UT, and 13:55 UT (RHESSI flare peak times) and used them to compare the data and results from the two instruments. Moreover, we included Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) records in our analysis. In practice, the range of comparison performed for SphinX and RHESSI is limited roughly to 3 – 6 keV. RHESSI fluxes measured with a use of one, four, and nine detectors in the 3 – 4 keV energy band agree with SphinX measurements. However, we observed that SphinX spectral irradiances are three times higher than those of RHESSI in the 4 – 6 keV energy band. This effect contributes to the difference in obtained emission measures, but the derived temperatures of plasma components are similar. RHESSI spectra were fitted using a model with two thermal components. We have found that the RHESSI hot component is in agreement with GOES, and the RHESSI hotter component fits the SphinX flaring component well. Moreover, we calculated the so-called thermodynamic measure and the total thermal energy content in the four microflares that we studied. The results obtained show that SphinX is a very sensitive complementary observatory for RHESSI and GOES.

The Background Particle Detector (BPD) is an important block of the Polish-Ukrainian X-ray spectrophotometer ChemiX under development for the “Interhelioprobe” interplanetary mission. The BPD primary objective is to detect incoming charged particle fluxes, measure particle energy spectra and safeguard the instrument in case of emergency. The present work describes the BPD laboratory prototype and current results of adjustment and measurements of its important characteristics, in particular the analog signal processing unit and the source of secondary power supply unit. Laboratory benches designed for controlling the parameters of analog module and for characterization of small-sized organic and inorganic scintillation detectors of high energy charged particles are presented. The functional block diagram of the experimental model of digital signal processing line and information data streaming line designed using ProASIC3E М1А3РЕ1500 FPGA are introduced and explained. The results of respective digital modules’ tests performed by using experimental ModelISim Microsemi ME 10.2c program simulator are also presented.

ChemiX is a Bragg crystal spectrometer that will fly on the two Interhelioprobe spacecraft due for launch in 2025 and 2026. The spacecraft perihelion will be only 0.3 a.u. and the orbit inclination up to 30°, and so instruments on board will have a close view of solar active regions and flares and regions near each solar pole. The ChemiX X-ray spectrometer, built by a consortium of groups led by the Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, will fly on each of the spacecraft, and observe X-ray spectra in the 1.5 - 9 Å range. Spectral lines in this range include resonance lines of helium-like and hydrogen-like ions of elements such as Fe, Ca, Ar, S, and Si, with less abundant elements such as K and Cl represented by weaker lines which the high sensitivity of ChemiX should be able to detect. The free–free and free–bound continua should also be detected since instrumental background will be eliminated. Three of the seven channels of ChemiX will be in a “dopplerometer” arrangement by which spatial and spectral shifts present in flare impulsive stages can be disentangled.

We explore the temporal evolution of flare plasma parameters including temperature (T) - differential emission measure (DEM) relationship by analyzing high spectral and temporal cadence of X-ray emission in 1.6-8.0 keV energy band, recorded by SphinX (Polish) and Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS; Indian) instruments, during a B8.3 flare which occurred on July 04, 2009. SphinX records X-ray emission in 1.2-15.0 keV energy band with the temporal and spectral cadence as good as 6 microsecond and 0.4 keV, respectively. On the other hand, SOXS provides X-ray observations in 4-25 keV energy band with the temporal and spectral resolution of 3 second and 0.7 keV, respectively. We derive the thermal plasma parameters during impulsive phase of the flare employing well-established Withbroe-Sylwester DEM inversion algorithm., Comment: To Appear in the International Astronomical Union#320 Proceedings Series, 2015

We propose a new model for description of solar flare lightcurve profile observed in soft X-rays. The method assumes that single-peaked ‘regular’ flares seen in lightcurves can be fitted with the elementary time profile being a convolution of Gaussian and exponential functions. More complex, multi-peaked flares can be decomposed as a sum of elementary profiles. During flare lightcurve fitting process a linear background is determined as well. In our study we allow the background shape over the event to change linearly with time. Presented approach originally was dedicated to the soft X-ray small flares recorded by Polish spectrophotometer SphinX during the phase of very deep solar minimum of activity, between 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles. However, the method can and will be used to interpret the lightcurves as obtained by the other soft X-ray broad-band spectrometers at the time of both low and higher solar activity level. In the paper we introduce the model and present examples of fits to SphinX and GOES 1-8 Å channel observations as well.

We present an innovative soft X-ray polarimeter and spectrometer SOLPEX. The instrument is to be mounted aboard the ISS within the Russian science complex KORTES. The measurements to be made by SOLPEX are expected to be of unprecedented quality in terms of sensitivity to detect the soft-X-ray polarization of solar emission emanating from active regions and flares in particular. Simultaneous measurements of the polarization degree and the other characteristics (eg. evolution of the spectra) constitute the last, rather unexplored area of solar X-ray spectroscopy providing substantial diagnostic potential. Second important science task to be addressed are the measurements of Doppler shifts in selected X-ray spectral emission lines formed in hot flaring sources. The novel-type Dopplerometer (flat Bragg crystal drum unit) is planned to be a part of SOLPEX and will allow to measure line Doppler shifts in absolute terms with unprecedented time resolution (fraction of a second) during the impulsive flare phases. We shall present some details of the SOLPEX instrument and discuss observing sequences in a view of science objectives to be reached.

A new methodology is given to determine basic parameters of flares from their X-ray light curves. Algorithms are developed from the analysis of small X-ray flares occurring during the deep solar minimum of 2009, between Solar Cycles 23 and 24, observed by the Polish Solar Photometer in X-rays (SphinX) on the Complex Orbital Observations Near-Earth of Activity of the Sun-Photon (CORONAS-Photon) spacecraft. One is a semi-automatic flare detection procedure that gives start, peak, and end times for single (“elementary”) flare events under the assumption that the light curve is a simple convolution of a Gaussian and exponential decay functions. More complex flares with multiple peaks can generally be described by a sum of such elementary flares. Flare time profiles in the two energy ranges of SphinX (1.16 – 1.51 keV, 1.51 – 15 keV) are used to derive temperature and emission measure as a function of time during each flare. The result is a comprehensive catalogue – the SphinX Flare Catalogue – which contains 1600 flares or flare-like events and is made available for general use. The methods described here can be applied to observations made by Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) and other broad-band spectrometers.

The Bent Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) onboard the NASA Solar Maximum Mission was part of the X-ray Polychromator, which observed numerous flares and bright active regions from February to November 1980, when operation was suspended as a result of the failure of the spacecraft fine pointing system. Observations resumed following the Space Shuttle SMM Repair Mission in April 1984 and continued until November 1989. BCS spectra have been widely used in the past to obtain temperatures, emission measures, and turbulent and bulk flows during flares, as well as element abundances. Instrumental details including calibration factors not previously published are given here, and the in-orbit performance of the BCS is evaluated. Some significant changes during the mission are described, and recommendations for future instrumentation are made. Using improved estimates for the instrument parameters and operational limits, it is now possible to obtain de-convolved, calibrated spectra that show finer detail than before, providing the means to improved interpretation of the physics of the emitting plasmas. The results indicate how historical, archived data can be re-used to obtain enhanced and new, scientifically valuable results., Comment: Figures in B&W but will appear in color when published. Accepted for publication

We present the innovative soft X-ray spectro-polarimeter, SolpeX. This instrument consists of three functionally independent blocks. They are to be included into the Russian instrument KORTES, to be mounted onboard the ISS. The three SolpeX units are: a simple pin-hole X-ray spectral imager, a polarimeter, and a fast-rotating drum multiple-flat-crystal Bragg spectrometer. Such a combination of measuring blocks will offer a new opportunity to reliably measure possible X-ray polarization and spectra of solar flares, in particular during the impulsive phase. Polarized Bremsstrahlung and line emission due to the presence of directed particle beams will be detected, and measurements of the velocities of evaporated hot plasma will be made. In this paper we discuss the details of the construction of the SolpeX units. The delivery of KORTES with SolpeX to the ISS is expected to happen in 2017/2018.

We present results of multitemperature analysis of GOES C7.2 class flare SOL2003-03-29T10:15. This event occurred close to the centre of the solar disk and had two maxima in soft X-rays. We have performed analysis of physical parameters characterizing evolution of conditions in the flaring plasma. The temperature diagnostics have been carried out using the differential emission measure (DEM) approach based on the soft X-ray spectra collected by RESIK Bragg spectrometer. Analysis of data obtained by RHESSI provided opportunity to estimate the volume and thus calculating the density and thermal energy content of hot flaring plasma.

Diogeness was an uncollimated scanning flat crystal spectrometer observing solar flare X-ray spectra in four narrow wavelength bands in the vicinity of Ca xix, S xv and Si xiii He-like line ‘triplets’ around 3.18 Å, 5.04 Å and 6.65 Å. In two of the spectral channels, emission lines around the Ca xix 3.178 Å resonance line were scanned in opposite directions, being diffracted from precisely adjusted identical Quartz crystals mounted on a common shaft in a so-called Dopplerometer (tachometer) configuration. Observations of solar X-ray spectra made by Diogeness provide a direct diagnostic information on plasma characteristics during the impulsive flare energy release. We present a sample of events which occurred during the Diogeness operation time from August 16, 2001 to September 17, 2001.

Soft X-ray emission from ~0.1 to 10 keV (~1-100 A) provides unique diagnostics for high-temperature plasmas, but observations of the Sun in this energy range that are both spectrally and spatially resolved have been nearly non-existent. The Multi-Order X-ray Spectral Imager (MOXSI) is an instrument concept for a novel, slitless X-ray imaging spectrograph that will make crucial new measurements in this observationally-important wavelength range yet still fit within the limited resource constraints of a CubeSat. MOXSI utilizes a custom pinhole camera with a COTS, back-thinned CMOS sensor combined with a Chandra-heritage X-ray transmission diffraction grating to provide spatially-resolved, full-Sun imaging spectroscopy from ~1 to ~55 A (~0.2-10 keV) with ~25 arcsec and ~0.25 A FWHM spatial and spectral resolutions, respectively, and cadence of ~few tens of sec. MOXSI produces images akin to an “overlappograph,” with the 0th-order and dispersed images overlaid on the same detector; the dispersion direction is specifically oriented orthogonal to the latitudinal bands of solar activity to minimize source confusion. Additional pinhole apertures with custom entrance filters provide undispersed broadband filtergram images for additional source information. To mitigate motion-induced smearing, an on-board, real-time motion compensation system co-adds a series of frames for each integration period. MOXSI is one of the instruments of the proposed CubeSat Imaging X-ray Solar Spectrometer (CubIXSS) mission concept, which will improve our physical understanding of thermal plasma processes and impulsive energy release in the solar corona, from quiet Sun to solar flares, and the impact of solar X-rays on Earth’s upper atmosphere.

A joint analysis is carried out of data obtained with the help of the solar X-ray SphinX spectrophotometer and the electron and proton satellite telescope STEP-F in May 2009 in the course of the scientific space experiment CORONAS-PHOTON. In order to determine the energies and particle types, in the analysis of spectrophotometer records data are used on the intensities of electrons, protons, and secondary γ-radiation, obtained by the STEP-F telescope, which was located in close proximity to the SphinX spectrophotometer. The identical reaction of both instruments is noted at the intersection of regions of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly and the Earth’s radiation belts. It is shown that large area photodiodes, serving as sensors of the X-ray spectrometer, reliably record electron fluxes of low and intermediate energies, as well as fluxes of the secondary gamma radiation from construction materials of detector modules, the TESIS instrument complex, and the spacecraft itself. The dynamics of electron fluxes, recorded by the SphinX spectrophotometer in the vicinity of a weak geomagnetic storm, supplements the information about the processes of radial diffusion of electrons, which was studied using the STEP-F telescope.

The goals and construction details of a new design Polish-led X-ray spectrophotometer are described. The instrument is aimed to observe emission from entire solar corona and is placed as a separate block within the Russian TESIS X- and EUV complex aboard the CORONAS-PHOTON solar orbiting observatory. SphinX uses silicon PIN diode detectors for high time resolution measurements of the solar spectra in the range 0.8–15 keV. Its spectral resolution allows for discerning more than hundred separate energy bands in this range. The instrument dynamic range extends two orders of magnitude below and above these representative for GOES. The relative and absolute accuracy of spectral measurements is expected to be better than few percent, as follows from extensive ground laboratory calibrations.

The CORONAS-F mission experiments and results have been reviewed. The observations with the DIFOS multi-channel photometer in a broad spectral range from 350 to 1500 nm have revealed the dependence of the relative amplitudes of p-modes of the global solar oscillations on the wavelength that agrees perfectly well with the earlier data obtained in a narrower spectral ranges. The SPIRIT EUV observations have enabled the study of various manifestations of solar activity and high-temperature events on the Sun. The data from the X-ray spectrometer RESIK, gamma spectrometer HELICON, flare spectrometer IRIS, amplitude–temporal spectrometer AVS-F, and X-ray spectrometer RPS-1 have been used to analyze the X- and gamma-ray emission from solar flares and for diagnostics of the flaring plasma. The absolute and relative content of various elements (such as potassium, argon, and sulfur) of solar plasma in flares has been determined for the first time with the X-ray spectrometer RESIK. The Solar Cosmic Ray Complex monitored the solar flare effects in the Earth’s environment. The UV emission variations recorded during solar flares in the vicinity of the 120-nm wavelength have been analyzed and the amplitude of relative variations has been determined.

Solar Photometer in X-rays (SphinX) is an instrument designed to observe the Sun in X-rays in the energy range 0.85–15.00 keV. SphinX is incorporated within the Russian TESIS X and EUV telescope complex aboard the CORONAS-Photon satellite which was launched on January 30, 2009 at 13:30 UT from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, northern Russia. Since February, 2009 SphinX has been measuring solar X-ray radiation nearly continuously. The principle of SphinX operation and the content of the instrument data archives is studied. Issues related to dissemination of SphinX calibration, data, repository mirrors locations, types of data and metadata are discussed. Variability of soft X-ray solar flux is studied using data collected by SphinX over entire mission duration.

X-ray lines of helium-like calcium (\ion{Ca}{19}) between 3.17~\AA\ and 3.21~\AA\ and associated \ion{Ca}{18} dielectronic satellites have previously been observed in solar flare spectra, and their excitation mechanisms are well established. Dielectronic satellites of lower ionization stages (\ion{Ca}{17}~--~\ion{Ca}{15}) are not as well characterized. Several spectra during a large solar flare in 2001 by the DIOGENESS X-ray spectrometer on the {\em CORONAS-F}\/ spacecraft show the \ion{Ca}{17} and \ion{Ca}{16} satellites as well as lines of ionized argon (\ion{Ar}{17}, \ion{Ar}{16}) including dielectronic satellites. The DIOGENESS spectra are compared with spectra from a synthesis code developed here based on an isothermal assumption with various atomic sources including dielectronic satellite data from the Cowan Hartree--Fock code. Best-fit comparisons are made by varying the temperature as the code's input (Ar/Ca abundance ratio fixed at 0.33); close agreement is achieved although with adjustments to some ion fractions. The derived temperature is close to that derived from the two {\em GOES}\/ X-ray channels, $T_{\rm GOES}$. Some lines are identified for the first time. Similar spectra from the {\em P78-1}\/ spacecraft and the Alcator C-Mod tokamak have also been analyzed and similar agreement obtained. The importance of blends of calcium and argon lines is emphasized, affecting line ratios used for temperature diagnostics. This analysis will be applied to the {\em Solar Maximum Mission}\/ Bent Crystal Spectrometer archive and to X-ray spectra expected from the ChemiX instrument on the Sun-orbiting {\em Interhelioprobe}\/ spacecraft, while the relevance to X-ray spectra from non-solar sources is indicated., Comment: To be published, Astrophysical Journal

X-ray spectrometer RESIK has observed spectra in the four wavelength bands from 3.3 A to 6.1 A. This spectral range contains many emission lines of H- and He-like ions for Si, S, Ar and K. These lines are formed in plasma of coronal temperatures ( T > 3 MK). Analysis of their intensities allows studying differential emission measure distributions (DEM) in temperature range roughly between 3 MK and 30 MK. The aim of present study was to check whether any relationship exists between the character of DEM distribution, the event phase and the X-ray flare class. To do this we have calculated and analyzed the DEM distributions for a set of flares belonging to different GOES classes from the range B5.6–X1. The DEM distributions have been calculated using “Withbroe–Sylwester” multiplicative, maximum likelihood iterative algorithm. As the input data we have used absolute fluxes observed by RESIK in several spectral bands (lines + continuum). Respective emission functions have been calculated using the CHIANTI v. 5.2 atomic data package.

We use simultaneous observations from RESIK and RHESSI instruments to compare plasma properties of a major solar flare in its rise and gradual phase. This event occurred on 2002 August 3 (peak time at 19:06 UT). The flare had a very good coverage with RESIK data and well-resolved soft and hard X-ray sources were seen in RHESSI images. Spectra of X-ray radiation from RHESSI images are studied and compared with RESIK measurements in different flare phases. Result shows large differences in flare morphology and spectra between flare rise and gradual phase.

The RESIK is a high sensitivity, uncollimated bent crystal spectrometer which successfully operated aboard Russian CORONAS-F solar mission between 2001 and 2003. It measured for the first time in a systematic way solar soft X-ray spectra in the four wavelength channels from 3.3 A to 6.1 A. This range includes characteristic strong lines of H- and He-like ions of K, Ar, Cl, Si, S and Al in the respective spectral channels. A distinguishing feature of RESIK is its possibility of making reliable measurements of the continuum radiation in flares. Interpretation of line and the continuum intensities observed in vicinity of respective strong lines provides diagnostics of plasma temperature and absolute abundances of K, Ar, Cl, S, Si and Al in several flares. We analyzed the observed intensities of spectral lines and the nearby continuum using the CHIANTI v5.2 atomic data package. A specific, so-called “locally isothermal” approach has been used in this respect allowing us to make not only flare-averaged abundance estimates, but also to look into a possible variability of plasma composition during the course of flares.

We present the observations of He-like Ar triplet lines obtained by RESIK spectrometer aboard CORONAS-F. Interpretation of intensity ratios between triplet lines of lower Z elements is known to provide useful diagnostics of plasma conditions within the emitting source. Here, we investigate whether triplet line ratios are useful for interpretation of higher Z element spectra. A high sensitivity, low background and precise absolute calibration of RESIK allow to consider in addition also the continuum contribution. This provides a way to determine the Ar absolute abundance from the observed triplet component ratios. The method is presented and the results are shown for two selected flares. Derived values of Ar absolute abundance for these flares are found to be similar: 2.6 x 10(-6) and 2.9 x 10(-6). They fall in the range between presently accepted Ar photospheric and coronal abundances. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.

Aims. We aim to prove and diagnose the occurrence of nonthermal electron distributions in solar flare plasma using X-ray spectral observations. Methods. An M4.9 flare on 2003 January 7/8 was observed with the RESIK instrument in the 3−6 A wavelength range (2− 4k eV) and with RHESSI at energies above 6 keV. The temporal behavior of RESIK flare spectra has been analyzed for two different types of velocity distributions – a thermal (Maxwellian) distribution and a nonthermal plasma distribution of free electrons. The Si xiv, Si xiii ,a nd Sixiid satellite lines observed with RESIK in the 5−6 A range were used to determine the degree of deviation from Maxwellian, and the equivalent non-Maxwellian pseudo-temperature, τ. The diagnostics presented are sensitive to the shape of the distribution in the energy range where the maximum of the electron distribution occurs (where the bulk of electrons reside) and does not include the influence of the shape of the high-energy tail of the distribution. Under the assumption of a Maxwellian distribution of electron velocities, the plasma temperature was determined from an emission measure (EM) loci analysis and a differential emission measure (DEM) analysis of RESIK spectra. The high-energy end of the flare radiative emission was investigated through RHESSI spectral analysis. Results. The nonthermal analysis of RESIK spectra has shown that the largest deviations of the plasma electron distribution from Maxwellian appeared during the impulsive phase of the flare. The decay phase spectra had an almost isothermal character. The pseudotemperature, τ, reached its maximum around the peak time of the soft and hard X-ray fluxes. The temporal behavior of the temperatures derived from the thermal analysis was similar to the behavior of the nonthermal pseudo-temperature. The values of the pseudotemperature were consistent with the temperatures obtained in both thermal analyses, but lower than the temperatures derived from the slope of the RHESSI continua. In comparison with the synthetic isothermal or multithermal spectra, the nonthermal synthetic spectra fitted the observed Si xiid satellite lines much more closely (the error is less than 10%). The fluxes in the Si XIId satellite lines in isothermal or multithermal spectra have been underestimated by a factor of three or more in comparison to the observed fluxes. The value of this factor varies with time and it is different for the different satellite lines. Conclusions. Evidence was found for considerable deviations of the distribution of free electrons from Maxwellian in the plasma during a solar flare. These occurred mainly during the flare impulsive phase and can be diagnosed using existing X-ray spectral observations.

We present some methods of X-ray data analysis employed in our laboratory for deducing the physical parameters of flaring plasma. For example, we have used a flare well observed with Polish instrument RESIK aboard Russian CORONAS-F satellite. Based on a careful instrument calibration, the absolute fluxes in a number of individual spectral lines have been obtained. The analysis of these lines allows us to follow the evolution of important thermodynamic parameters characterizing the emitting plasma throughout this flare evolution.

Solar X-ray observations recorded by the series of geostationary observational environmental satellites (GOES) are analyzed over a time interval of the 23rd solar cycle. Statistical analysis of a large database of GOES events is performed. Temperature and emission measures derived based on GOES fluxes for all events are compared and analyzed. A specific application of GOES X-ray measurements to space weather forecasting is discussed. Namely, using an information about maximum temperature and maximum emission measure of a given flare one can assign a probability to this flare of being “non-SEP associated”.

Detection of polarization and spectra measurement of X-ray solar flare emission are indispensable in improving our understanding of the processes releasing energy of these most energetic phenomena in the solar system. We shall present some details of the construction of SolpeX – an innovative Bragg soft X-ray flare polarimeter and spectrometer. The instrument is a part of KORTES – Russian instrument complex to be mounted aboard the science module to be attached to the International Space Station (2017/2018). The SolpeX will be composed of three individual measuring units: the soft X-ray polarimeter with 1-2% linear polarization detection threshold, a fast-rotating flat crystal X-ray spectrometer with a very high time resolution (0.1 s) and a simple pinhole soft X-ray imager-spectrometer with a moderate spatial (~20 arcsec), spectral (0.5 keV) and high time resolution (0.1 s). Having a fast rotating unit to be served with power, telemetry and “intelligence” poses a challenge for the designer. Some of the solutions to this will be provided and described.

Recent work by Bulbul et al. and Boyarsky et al. has suggested that a line feature at approx. 3.5 keV in the X-ray spectra of galaxy clusters and individual galaxies seen with XMM-Newton is due to the decay of sterile neutrinos, a dark matter candidate. This identification has been criticized by Jeltema and Profumo on the grounds that model spectra suggest that atomic transitions in helium-like potassium (K XVIII) and chlorine (Cl XVI) are more likely to be the emitters. Here it is pointed out that the K XVIII lines have been observed in numerous solar flare spectra at high spectral resolution with the RESIK crystal spectrometer and also appear in Chandra HETG spectra of the coronally active star sigma Gem. In addition, the solar flare spectra at least indicate a mean coronal potassium abundance which is a factor of between 9 and 11 higher than the solar photospheric abundance. This fact, together with the low statistical quality of the XMM-Newton spectra, completely accounts for the approx. 3.5 keV feature and there is therefore no need to invoke a sterile neutrino interpretation of the observed line feature at 3.5 keV., Comment: Accepted for publication, Astrophysical Journal. 3 figures

We perform an analysis of the TRACE telescope blur from EUV images. Theblur pattern is discussed in terms of the telescope point-spread function (PSF) for the 171 A filter. The analysis performed consists of two steps. First, an initial shape for the PSF core is determined directly from TRACE EUV images. Second, the blind-deconvolution method is used for obtaining the final PSF shape. The PSF core peak is fitted by analytical functions to determine its parametric characteristics. The determined PSF includes the core central peak and peaks caused by diffraction effects inherent in TRACE EUV data. The diffraction portion of the PSF is studied theoretically in the Fraunhofer diffraction limit. The temperature dependence of the TRACE PSF shape is investigated for a selected temperature range. We also discuss general properties of the obtained PSF and its possible applications.

Aims. To perform a benchmark analysis for the recent version of the CHIANTI atomic database (v. 5.2) based on high-resolution solar flare X-ray spectra in the range 3.4-6.1 angstrom from the RESIK crystal spectrometer on the CORONAS-F spacecraft.Methods. A C5.8 flare occurring on 2003 February 22 was chosen for analysis. RESIK spectra of this flare include emission lines of He-like and H-like K, Ar, S, and Si, with some dielectronic lines. Initially, two independent plasma diagnostic techniques are employed: an emission measure (EM) loci analysis using the line flux and the line contribution function G(T-e, N-e), and a new method based on continuum fluxes and contribution functions. We further apply a differential emission measure (DEM) analysis, from which CHIANTI synthetic spectra are derived. The continuum from RESIK spectra is checked against simultaneous RHESSI and GOES observations. Comparisons of CHIANTI synthetic spectra with those from the MEKAL code in the 3.4-6.1 angstrom range are also presented.Results. The emitting plasma appears multi-thermal, having one dominant temperature component determined independently from the line and continuum EM loci and DEM analyses. Consistency between line and continuum emissions requires photospheric elemental abundances (Asplund et al. 2005), with a depleted sulphur abundance. With the exception of RESIK channel 4 (5.0-6.1 angstrom), we find overall very good agreement between the calculated and observed intensities. From comparisons with other instruments, RESIK's precision in the continuum level is confirmed to be within the estimated 20% uncertainties in the intensity calibration. We find general agreement between CHIANTI and MEKAL isothermal spectra, but we note that the atomic data for the Si XII and Si XIII ions contained in CHIANTI are more complete.Conclusions. RESIK observations of both lines and continua are suitable for characterising the properties of the flaring plasma such as temperature, emission measure and elemental abundance. These spectra can be used to evaluate any atomic database.