Signatures of localised particle acceleration at a global coronal shock wave

¹ Centre for Astrophysics and Relativity, School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin Campus, Dublin D09 V209, Ireland
² Astronomy & Astrophysics Section, School of Cosmic Physics, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Dublin D15 XR2R, Ireland
³ LIRA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, 5 place Jules Janssen, 92195 Meudon, France

^★ Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 14 November 2025
Accepted: 19 March 2026

Abstract

Context. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) waves are global waves in the solar corona that accelerate particles. The efficiency of this acceleration depends on local plasma characteristics such as the Alfvén speed and the geometry of the magnetic field. This shock-driven particle acceleration produces radio signatures such as Type II radio bursts and herringbone emission.

Aims. Here we investigate signatures of particle acceleration by a weak coronal shock on 10 March 2024. In particular, we combined EUV images with radio imaging and spectral observations to determine how and where this weak shock could accelerate energetic particles.

Methods. A potential field source surface extrapolation was used to examine the pre-eruption ambient magnetic field, while the evolution of the global wave was probed using running-difference and base-difference EUV images. The EUV images enabled the speed and Alfvèn Mach number of the EUV wave to be characterised. The combination of radio images and dynamic spectra provides evidence of beams of shock-accelerated electrons localised to a dimming region at the time the EUV wave passes through it. The speeds and energies of these electrons were estimated from the drift rates of their herringbones.

Results. The EUV wave initially propagated due west, channelled by two large loop systems, before changing direction northwards. From the EUV intensity jump at the wavefront, the Alfvén Mach number was estimated to be approximately 1.005 at the time the herringbones were produced. The herringbone drift rates reveal accelerated electron energies of 75.32 to 122.10 keV, using Newkirk density models with scaling factors of 1.3 to 2.6.

Conclusions. These observations suggest that the weak lateral shock impacted a quasi-perpendicular open field in a dimming region, enabling localised particle acceleration. This indicates that the geometry of the ambient magnetic field relative to the shock strongly governs where particles are accelerated.