A case study of solar proton events

Abstract

Solar Proton Events (SPEs) are explosive releases of high-energy protons and charged particles from the Sun, impacting Earth’s atmosphere and its chemistry. This research project investigates the influence of solar proton events on atmospheric chemistry, specifically focusing on the formation of the hydroxyl (OH) reactive species and the subsequent processes leading to ozone depletion. Through the analysis of observational data from different data sources like Coordinated Data Analysis Website (CDAWeb) and AURA Micro Limb Sounder (MLS), the study aims to understand the complex interactions between solar proton events and the atmospheric chemistry. The project’s findings will contribute to advancing our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in SPE-induced atmospheric chemistry changes. Solar proton events are more intense during the solar maximum indicated by the increase in the sunspot number shown in the plot in figure 4.1. During the solar maximum a number of solar activities occur which are sources of the solar protons leading to solar proton events clearly evidenced by the plots of solar wind parameters in figure 4.2 that’s to say pressure and speed which show increment between 16th to 21st of January. This corresponds to the increase in the OH concentrations at altitudes above 70km from 16th to the 21st subsequent ozone concentration reduction for the same period indicated in the figure 4.4. This shows that solar proton events which occasionally occur affect the chemistry of the atmosphere through the alteration of the concentrations of OH and O3 in the atmosphere.