The SPEARHEAD project is prominently represented at the SCOSTEP Symposium 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece, with four posters highlighting recent advances in solar energetic particle (SEP) research, data analysis tools, and multi-spacecraft observations.
The contributions reflect the project’s mission to improve our understanding of the acceleration, transport, and observation of high-energy particles throughout the heliosphere through coordinated observations, modelling, and open scientific resources.
New Solar Orbiter SEP Catalogue Presented
A poster led by Athanasios Papaioannou and collaborators presents the first comprehensive observational survey of Solar Orbiter High Energy Telescope (HET) measurements spanning February 2020 to August 2025. The study identifies 174 SEP events observed by Solar Orbiter across a wide range of heliocentric distances (0.28–0.99 AU).
The survey reveals strong correlations between SEP fluence and peak particle intensity and provides new insights into the role of CME-driven shocks in accelerating both electrons and protons. The resulting catalogue represents a valuable new resource for the heliophysics community and will support future comparative studies across multiple spacecraft.
Investigating the Widespread Ground-Level Enhancement of 28 October 2021
A second contribution by Eleni Lavasa and colleagues examines the relativistic SEP event associated with GLE73 on 28 October 2021. Using observations from STEREO-A, Solar Orbiter, Earth-based instruments, and advanced particle transport modelling, the study investigates how energetic particles spread over exceptionally wide longitudinal ranges.
The results suggest that the observed event can be explained by a combination of localized particle injection and cross-field diffusion, providing new constraints on particle transport processes in the heliosphere and improving our understanding of how extreme SEP events evolve.
Multi-Spacecraft Analysis of the 21 November 2024 GLE76 Event
Another poster, led by Manon Jarry and collaborators, presents a detailed investigation of GLE76, a rare far-side solar energetic particle event observed simultaneously by Earth, STEREO-A, and Solar Orbiter.
Combining particle spectra, radio observations, shock reconstructions, and magnetic connectivity analyses, the study shows that CME-driven shocks likely played the dominant role in accelerating relativistic protons. The work highlights how magnetic connectivity strongly influences the SEP properties observed at different locations throughout the heliosphere and demonstrates the scientific value of coordinated multi-spacecraft observations.
New SPEARHEAD Data Analysis Tools and Resources
A fourth poster showcases the growing suite of SPEARHEAD scientific products and analysis tools. These include SEP catalogues, open datasets, educational resources, and software packages designed to facilitate high-energy particle research.
Among the featured tools are applications for velocity dispersion analysis, Forbush decrease studies, bow-tie analysis, and GEANT4-based instrument simulations. All resources are being developed with an emphasis on open science, accessibility, and long-term community impact.
Engaging with the International Heliophysics Community
The SCOSTEP 2026 meeting provides an excellent opportunity for the SPEARHEAD team to share recent scientific achievements, gather feedback from international colleagues, and strengthen collaborations across the heliophysics community.
We invite conference participants to visit the SPEARHEAD posters and discuss the latest developments in solar energetic particle research.