Solar Orbiter traces superfast electrons back to Sun

Solar Orbiter observed more than 300 bursts of ‘Solar Energetic Electrons’ between November 2020 and December 2022.

For the first time, we clearly see the connection between the energetic electrons in space and their sources on the Sun.

The energetic electrons are launched by two distinct sources: solar flares (blue dots) and coronal mass ejections (red dots). Solar flares release quick bursts of energetic electrons, whereas coronal mass ejections release broader swells of energetic electrons more gradually.

The result is published today in Astronomy & Astrophysics, as part of a public catalogue of Solar Energetic Electron events observed by Solar Orbiter.

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[Image description: Infographic showing how the Solar Orbiter spacecraft traces superfast electrons back to their sources on the Sun. The Sun is depicted on the left, with colored dots representing sources of energetic electrons from solar flares (blue) and coronal mass ejections (red). Curved lines illustrate magnetic field lines along which electrons travel from these events toward the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, shown on the right against a starry background. Text explains that more than 300 bursts of 'Solar Energetic Electrons' were observed between November 2020 and December 2022, allowing scientists to connect electrons detected in space with their origins on the Sun.]