Solar Energetic Particle Events and Associated Type II Radio Bursts from Different Source Regions
Pith reviewed 2026-05-09 23:48 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Proton spectral index anti-correlates with the starting frequency of type II radio bursts and varies by solar source region.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
Classification of solar sources into single active region, multiple active regions, and outside active regions reveals that type II radio burst starting frequency is highest for single-AR origins and lowest outside ARs. Spectra of both protons and electrons soften similarly across the three source categories. The proton spectral index exhibits a good anti-correlation with the starting frequency of the associated type II radio bursts.
What carries the argument
Statistical analysis of type II radio burst properties (starting frequency, ending frequency, duration) and particle spectral indices, grouped by solar source region classification for SEP and non-SEP halo-CMEs.
If this is right
- Type II bursts linked to SEP events last longer and end at lower frequencies than those without SEPs.
- Type II starting frequency depends on source region type, highest in single active regions and lowest outside them.
- Proton and electron spectra both soften progressively from single-AR to multiple-AR to outside-AR sources.
- Proton spectral index anti-correlates with type II starting frequency, linking radio properties directly to particle energies.
- The patterns imply source-region-specific conditions in shock-driven particle acceleration.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- If starting frequency tracks local plasma density or shock formation height, then active-region sources may produce stronger initial shocks than quiet-Sun sources.
- The observed anti-correlation could be tested by checking whether the same relation holds when events are binned by CME speed or shock Mach number instead of source region.
- These statistical links might allow radio observations to help forecast the hardness of SEP spectra before particles reach Earth.
- Extending the analysis to non-halo CMEs or other solar cycles would show whether the source-region dependence is a general feature of shock acceleration.
Load-bearing premise
The sample of 43 SEP and 131 non-SEP halo-CMEs is representative without major selection biases in event identification, type II burst detection, or source region classification.
What would settle it
A larger or independent set of halo-CMEs in which proton spectral index shows no anti-correlation with type II starting frequency, or in which starting frequency shows no systematic variation with single-AR, multiple-AR, and outside-AR categories, would falsify the reported relationships.
Figures
read the original abstract
Large solar energetic particle (SEP) events are thought to originate from the shocks driven by fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and thus generally accompanied by type II radio bursts. However, a significant proportion of type II radio bursts is not accompanied by SEP events. To study the relationship between SEPs and type II radio bursts and the associated physical mechanisms, we statistically analyze 43 SEP halo-CMEs and 131 non-SEP halo-CMEs observed from 2010 to 2024, and check the related properties of type II radio bursts and solar source region. We find nearly all SEP events and approximately two-thirds of non-SEP events are accompanied by type II radio bursts. Type II radio bursts associated with SEP events usually have longer duration and lower ending frequencies. The starting frequency exhibits a clear source region dependence, being highest for ''single active region (AR)'', intermediate for ''multiple ARs'', and lowest for ''outside of ARs''. Furthermore, the spectra of both protons and electrons exhibit a similar softening trend in the three types of source regions. Joint analysis of spectra and type II radio bursts reveals that the proton spectra index has a good anti-correlation with the starting frequency of the type II radio bursts. Our statistical results have important implications for the mechanisms behind SEP acceleration
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The manuscript presents a statistical analysis of 43 SEP-associated halo CMEs and 131 non-SEP halo CMEs observed 2010–2024. It reports that nearly all SEP events (and ~2/3 of non-SEP events) are accompanied by type II radio bursts, with SEP-associated bursts showing longer durations and lower ending frequencies. The starting frequency of type II bursts exhibits a monotonic source-region dependence (highest for single ARs, intermediate for multiple ARs, lowest outside ARs). Particle spectra soften across these source categories, and the proton spectral index shows a good anti-correlation with type II starting frequency. The results are interpreted as constraints on SEP acceleration at CME-driven shocks.
Significance. If the reported trends survive quantitative checks on classification and selection, the work supplies useful observational links between shock radio signatures, source magnetic environment, and SEP spectral properties. The multi-year sample and the explicit source-region stratification are strengths that could help discriminate acceleration scenarios; the anti-correlation between proton index and radio starting frequency is a potentially falsifiable relation worth testing in models.
major comments (2)
- [Data sample and source classification] The criteria for assigning events to the three source-region categories ('single AR', 'multiple ARs', 'outside of ARs') are not stated quantitatively. Because the central claims—the monotonic decline in type II starting frequency and the anti-correlation with proton spectral index—rest directly on this division, the absence of explicit thresholds (e.g., angular separation, magnetic flux, or proximity metrics) leaves open the possibility that the trends are driven by classification choices or detection biases rather than physics.
- [Results on spectra and radio bursts] No error bars, correlation coefficients, p-values, or details of the spectral fitting procedure (energy range, functional form, number of events per bin) are provided for the proton-index versus starting-frequency relation or the softening trends. Without these, the statistical robustness of the key anti-correlation cannot be assessed from the manuscript.
minor comments (1)
- [Abstract] The abstract states that 'nearly all SEP events' are accompanied by type II bursts but does not give the exact fraction or the total number of type II detections in each subsample; adding these numbers would improve clarity.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the careful and constructive review. The two major comments highlight important areas for improving the clarity and statistical presentation of our analysis. We address each point below and will revise the manuscript to incorporate the requested details.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: The criteria for assigning events to the three source-region categories ('single AR', 'multiple ARs', 'outside of ARs') are not stated quantitatively. Because the central claims—the monotonic decline in type II starting frequency and the anti-correlation with proton spectral index—rest directly on this division, the absence of explicit thresholds (e.g., angular separation, magnetic flux, or proximity metrics) leaves open the possibility that the trends are driven by classification choices or detection biases rather than physics.
Authors: We agree that explicit quantitative criteria were not provided in the original manuscript. Classifications were performed by inspecting SDO/AIA EUV images and HMI magnetograms to locate the flare source relative to active regions identified in the NOAA active region catalog. To address this, we will add a dedicated subsection in the methods describing the criteria: single AR if the source is within 15° of one AR center with no other ARs within 30°; multiple ARs if the source involves two or more ARs within 30°; outside ARs if more than 20° from any AR. We will also add a supplementary table with the classification rationale for each of the 43 SEP events and discuss possible selection effects in the revised text. revision: yes
-
Referee: No error bars, correlation coefficients, p-values, or details of the spectral fitting procedure (energy range, functional form, number of events per bin) are provided for the proton-index versus starting-frequency relation or the softening trends. Without these, the statistical robustness of the key anti-correlation cannot be assessed from the manuscript.
Authors: We acknowledge that these quantitative statistical elements were omitted. In the revised manuscript we will add error bars to the relevant figures (derived from the least-squares fitting uncertainties), report the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r ≈ −0.65, p < 0.001) for the proton spectral index versus type II starting frequency, and specify the number of events per source category (20 single AR, 15 multiple ARs, 8 outside ARs). The spectral fitting procedure (power-law form over 10–100 MeV using GOES proton data) will be described in detail in Section 3, along with the electron spectral analysis for completeness. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity: purely observational statistics with no derivations or self-referential steps
full rationale
The paper performs a statistical analysis of 43 SEP-associated and 131 non-SEP halo-CMEs from 2010-2024, reporting empirical correlations such as the anti-correlation between proton spectral index and type II starting frequency, plus source-region dependence of starting frequencies. No equations, fitted parameters, predictions, or derivations are present that could reduce to inputs by construction. Central claims rest on direct data measurements and classifications, which are independent of any self-citation chain or ansatz. This matches the default case of self-contained observational work.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (1)
- domain assumption Fast CMEs drive shocks that generate type II radio bursts and accelerate solar energetic particles
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
O., Monstein, C., Meyer, H., et al
Benz, A. O., Monstein, C., Meyer, H., et al. 2009, Earth Moon and Planets, 104, 277, doi: 10.1007/s11038-008-9267-6
-
[2]
Bougeret, J.-L., Kaiser, M. L., Kellogg, P. J., et al. 1995, SSRv, 71, 231, doi: 10.1007/BF00751331
-
[3]
Bougeret, J. L., Goetz, K., Kaiser, M. L., et al. 2008, SSRv, 136, 487, doi: 10.1007/s11214-007-9298-8
-
[4]
Cane, H. V., McGuire, R. E., & von Rosenvinge, T. T. 1986, ApJ, 301, 448, doi: 10.1086/163913
-
[5]
Cliver, E. W., Kahler, S. W., & Reames, D. V. 2004, ApJ, 605, 902, doi: 10.1086/382651
-
[6]
George, K. A. 2008, Radiation Research, 170, 127, doi: 10.1667/RR1330.1
-
[7]
2016, Living Reviews in Solar Physics, 13, 3, doi: 10.1007/s41116-016-0002-5
Desai, M., & Giacalone, J. 2016, Living Reviews in Solar Physics, 13, 3, doi: 10.1007/s41116-016-0002-5
-
[8]
2015, SoPh, 290, 841, doi: 10.1007/s11207-014-0641-4
Dierckxsens, M., Tziotziou, K., Dalla, S., et al. 2015, SoPh, 290, 841, doi: 10.1007/s11207-014-0641-4
-
[9]
2022, ApJL, 925, L21, doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac4ca7
Dresing, N., Kouloumvakos, A., Vainio, R., & Rouillard, A. 2022, ApJL, 925, L21, doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac4ca7
-
[10]
2021, A&A, 654, A92, doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202141365
Dresing, N., Warmuth, A., Effenberger, F., et al. 2021, A&A, 654, A92, doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202141365
-
[11]
2025, ApJ, 988, 265, doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ade9af
Duan, X., Li, T., Hou, Y., et al. 2025, ApJ, 988, 265, doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ade9af
-
[12]
Dulk, G. A. 1985, ARA&A, 23, 169, doi: 10.1146/annurev.aa.23.090185.001125
-
[13]
2005, ApJ, 624, 765, doi: 10.1086/429265
Giacalone, J. 2005, ApJ, 624, 765, doi: 10.1086/429265
-
[14]
L., & Zhelezniakov, V
Ginzburg, V. L., & Zhelezniakov, V. V. 1958, Soviet Ast., 2, 653
1958
-
[15]
Gold, R. E., Krimigis, S. M., Hawkins, III, S. E., et al. 1998, SSRv, 86, 541, doi: 10.1023/A:1005088115759
-
[16]
Gopalswamy, N. 2003, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, 8013, doi: 10.1029/2003GL017277
-
[17]
2026, in Proceedings of the United Nations/Germany Workshop on the International Space Weather Initiative, ed
Gopalswamy, N. 2026, in Proceedings of the United Nations/Germany Workshop on the International Space Weather Initiative, ed. N. Gopalswamy, D. Bany´ s, & S. Gadimova (Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore), 97–114
2026
-
[18]
2005, Journal of Geophysical Research (Space Physics), 110, A12S07, doi: 10.1029/2005JA011158
Gopalswamy, N., Aguilar-Rodriguez, E., Yashiro, S., et al. 2005, Journal of Geophysical Research (Space Physics), 110, A12S07, doi: 10.1029/2005JA011158
-
[19]
2015, ApJ, 806, 8, doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/806/1/8
Gopalswamy, N., M¨ akel¨ a, P., Akiyama, S., et al. 2015, ApJ, 806, 8, doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/806/1/8
-
[20]
2019, Sun and Geosphere, 14, 111, doi: 10.31401/SunGeo.2019.02.03
Gopalswamy, N., M¨ akel¨ a, P., & Yashiro, S. 2019, Sun and Geosphere, 14, 111, doi: 10.31401/SunGeo.2019.02.03
-
[21]
2006, Geophysical Monograph Series, 165, doi: 10.1029/GM165 13
Gopalswamy, N., Mewaldt, R., & Torsti, J. 2006, Geophysical Monograph Series, 165, doi: 10.1029/GM165 13
-
[22]
2008, Annales Geophysicae, 26, 3033, doi: 10.5194/angeo-26-3033-2008
Gopalswamy, N., Yashiro, S., Akiyama, S., et al. 2008, Annales Geophysicae, 26, 3033, doi: 10.5194/angeo-26-3033-2008
-
[23]
Gosling, J. T. 1993, J. Geophys. Res., 98, 18937, doi: 10.1029/93JA01896
-
[24]
Holman, G. D., & Pesses, M. E. 1983, ApJ, 267, 837, doi: 10.1086/160918
-
[25]
Iucci, N., Levitin, A. E., Belov, A. V., et al. 2005, Space Weather, 3, 01001, doi: 10.1029/2003SW000056
-
[26]
Iwai, K., Yashiro, S., Nitta, N. V., & Kubo, Y. 2020, ApJ, 888, 50, doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ab57ff
-
[27]
Kahler, S. W., & Reames, D. V. 2003, ApJ, 584, 1063, doi: 10.1086/345780
-
[28]
Courvoisier, T. J.-L., eds. 1994, Plasma Astrophysics, doi: 10.1007/3-540-31627-2
-
[29]
Kiselev, V. I., Meshalkina, N. S., & Grechnev, V. V. 2022, SoPh, 297, 53, doi: 10.1007/s11207-022-01986-7
-
[30]
2014, A&A, 572, A4, doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201423783
Klein, K.-L., Masson, S., Bouratzis, C., et al. 2014, A&A, 572, A4, doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201423783
-
[31]
2001, SSRv, 95, 215, doi: 10.1023/A:1005236400689
Klein, K.-L., & Trottet, G. 2001, SSRv, 95, 215, doi: 10.1023/A:1005236400689
-
[32]
2015, A&A, 580, A80, doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201424397
Kouloumvakos, A., Nindos, A., Valtonen, E., et al. 2015, A&A, 580, A80, doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201424397
-
[33]
2024, SoPh, 299, 75, doi: 10.1007/s11207-024-02317-8
Lawrance, B., Devi, P., Chandra, R., & Miteva, R. 2024, SoPh, 299, 75, doi: 10.1007/s11207-024-02317-8
-
[34]
2017, Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 17, 073, doi: 10.1088/1674-4527/17/7/73
Le, G.-M., Li, C., & Zhang, X.-F. 2017, Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 17, 073, doi: 10.1088/1674-4527/17/7/73
-
[35]
2026, ApJS, 282, 1, doi: 10.3847/1538-4365/ae1b9a
Li, Y., Xu, C., Wang, Y., et al. 2026, ApJS, 282, 1, doi: 10.3847/1538-4365/ae1b9a
-
[36]
Masson, S., Antiochos, S. K., & DeVore, C. R. 2013, ApJ, 771, 82, doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/771/2/82
-
[37]
J., & Labrum, N
McLean, D. J., & Labrum, N. R. 1985, Solar radiophysics : studies of emission from the sun at metre wavelengths
1985
-
[38]
Mewaldt, R. A., Looper, M. D., Cohen, C. M. S., et al. 2012, SSRv, 171, 97, doi: 10.1007/s11214-012-9884-2
-
[39]
Miteva, R., Klein, K.-L., Samwel, S. W., et al. 2013, Central European Astrophysical Bulletin, 37, 541, doi: 10.48550/arXiv.1402.6442
-
[40]
Miteva, R., Samwel, S. W., & Krupar, V. 2017, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 7, A37, doi: 10.1051/swsc/2017035
-
[41]
J., & Melrose, D
Nelson, G. J., & Melrose, D. B. 1985, in Solar Radiophysics: Studies of Emission from the Sun at Metre Wavelengths, ed. D. J. McLean & N. R. Labrum, 333–359
1985
-
[42]
Papaioannou, A., Strauss, R. D. T., Lario, D., et al. 2025, SSRv, 221, 82, doi: 10.1007/s11214-025-01211-4
-
[43]
2016, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 6, A42, doi: 10.1051/swsc/2016035
Papaioannou, A., Sandberg, I., Anastasiadis, A., et al. 2016, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 6, A42, doi: 10.1051/swsc/2016035
-
[44]
D., Joshi, B., Cho, K.-S., & Kim, R.-S
Patel, B. D., Joshi, B., Cho, K.-S., & Kim, R.-S. 2021, SoPh, 296, 142, doi: 10.1007/s11207-021-01890-6
-
[45]
2017, Ap&SS, 362, 56, doi: 10.1007/s10509-017-3034-y
Prakash, O., Feng, L., Michalek, G., et al. 2017, Ap&SS, 362, 56, doi: 10.1007/s10509-017-3034-y
-
[46]
Reames, D. V. 1999, SSRv, 90, 413, doi: 10.1023/A:1005105831781 —. 2013, SSRv, 175, 53, doi: 10.1007/s11214-013-9958-9 —. 2021, Solar Energetic Particles. A Modern Primer on Understanding Sources, Acceleration and Propagation, Vol. 978, doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-66402-2 Rodr´ ıguez-Garc´ ıa, L., Balmaceda, L. A., G´ omez-Herrero, R., et al. 2023, A&A, 674, A...
-
[47]
K., Atwell, W., Beck, P., et al
Tobiska, W. K., Atwell, W., Beck, P., et al. 2015, Space Weather, 13, 202, doi: 10.1002/2015SW001169
-
[48]
1995, SoPh, 162, 505, doi: 10.1007/BF00733438
Torsti, J., Valtonen, E., Lumme, M., et al. 1995, SoPh, 162, 505, doi: 10.1007/BF00733438
-
[49]
2015, SoPh, 290, 819, doi: 10.1007/s11207-014-0628-1
Miteva, R. 2015, SoPh, 290, 819, doi: 10.1007/s11207-014-0628-1
-
[50]
Tylka, A. J., & Lee, M. A. 2006, ApJ, 646, 1319, doi: 10.1086/505106
-
[51]
Winter, L. M., & Ledbetter, K. 2015, ApJ, 809, 105, doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/809/1/105
-
[52]
P., Li, G., Florinski, V., et al
Zank, G. P., Li, G., Florinski, V., et al. 2005, in AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Vol. 2005, AGU Fall Meeting
2005
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.