Modulation of the Heliospheric Current Sheet in the Propagation of Solar Energetic Electrons: an Investigation Based on CoSEE-Cat

Solar eruptive events such as flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) can release solar energetic particles (SEPs) into the heliosphere. The heliospheric current sheet (HCS) is a large-scale structure in the heliosphere that separates regions of opposite magnetic polarity. The effects of the HCS on the propagation of SEPs remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the influence of the HCS on the propagation of solar energetic electrons (SEEs) based on the Comprehensive Solar Energetic Electron event Catalogue (CoSEE-Cat). We classify SEE events into two groups: same-side events, where both the solar source and spacecraft are on the same side of the HCS, and opposite-side events, where they are on opposite sides. We use several different methods based on in-situ observations from Solar Orbiter and the Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model to determine the magnetic polarity of the solar source region and the region in which the spacecraft is located. The uncertainties associated with these methods are also carefully evaluated. This study provides preliminary statistical insights into the possible influence of the HCS on SEP propagation and may help to further understand the role of the HCS in SEP propagation.