Solar Orbiter traces Sun’s energetic electrons to dual eruptions

The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter mission has made a significant breakthrough in understanding Solar Energetic Electrons (SEEs) by directly linking these high-speed particles measured in space to two distinct solar sources: intense solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). By flying closer to the Sun than previous spacecraft and employing eight instruments, Solar Orbiter observed over 300 events between November 2020 and December 2022. This allowed researchers to distinguish between “impulsive” electron bursts from solar flares and “gradual” electron swells associated with CMEs, providing the first direct evidence of their origins and clarifying why electron detections often show delays after solar eruptions. This discovery enhances space weather forecasting, as CMEs are known to produce high-energy particles that can damage satellites, disrupt communications, and pose risks to astronauts. Understanding the dual origins of SEEs helps improve predictions of these hazardous events, contributing to better protection of spacecraft and human space activities. The findings