The Astrophysical Journal · 20 August 2026 · From issue 24
Counterintuitive Magnetic Connectivity and Energetic Particle Flux Differences among Nearby Observers during the 2023 February 24 Solar Energetic Particle Event
Solar Orbiter measured particle levels ten times higher despite a worse direct path to the eruption.
Weihao Liu, Xianyu Liu et al.
A giant burst of particles from the Sun did not behave the way scientists expected in February 2023. Earth and one spacecraft seemed to have a better direct magnetic path to the eruption. But a spacecraft called Solar Orbiter, which had a worse path, measured particle levels more than ten times higher. Computer models show the exploding cloud of solar material pushed out a lopsided shock wave, with one side much stronger than the other. A nearby disturbance in the solar wind bent the magnetic paths, so Solar Orbiter ended up connected to the strongest part of that shock.
The extra particle intensity Solar Orbiter recorded compared to Earth during the same solar eruption.
One solar event, simulation based, not a general rule yet.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 21 August 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (The Astrophysical Journal). Read the source
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