Performance of the current and extended global NM network for solar particle registration and analysis

Abstract

Over several decades, the global neutron monitor network was extensively and with undoubtful success used to study cosmic ray variations and fluxes of accelerated solar ions, the latter known as solar energetic particles. Recently, it has been used also for space weather purposes, specifically for alerts, and to provide crucial information necessary for assessment of different space weather effects, specifically the assessment of the exposure to radiation at flight altitudes. Here, we discuss the current status and applications of the global neutron monitor network, precisely its capability to study solar energetic particles, namely assessment of their spectral and angular distribution, during strong solar proton events e.g. those leading to ground level enhancements. Several examples are presented, accordingly. We also discuss the existing gaps in the network and propose an improvement of the network, namely a plan for an extension of the existing network with several new stations, in order to provide a more accurate analysis of strong solar proton events and to respond to the current space weather demands and services. We discuss the ability of the optimized global neutron monitor network to study various populations of solar energetic particles and to provide reliable space weather services.