A Joint Analysis of High-Energy Neutrons and Neutron-Decay Protons from a Flare

Abstract

A joint analysis of neutron monitor and GOES data is performed to study the production of high-energy neutrons at the Sun. The main objects of the research are the spectrum of >50 MeV neutrons and a possible spectrum of primary (interacting) protons which produced those neutrons during the major 1990 May 24 solar flare. Different possible scenarios of the neutron production are presented. The high magnitude of the 1990 May 24 neutron event provided an opportunity to detect neutron decay protons of higher energies than ever before. We compare predictions of the proposed models of neutron production with the observations of protons on board GOES 6 and 7. It is shown that the `precursor' in high-energy GOES channels observed during 20:55-21:09 UT can be naturally explained as originating from decay of neutrons in the interplanetary medium. The ratio of counting rates observed in different GOES channels can ensure the selection of the model parameters.