Post-impulsive-phase acceleration in a wide range of solar longitudes

We have analyzed five solar energetic particle (SEP) events observed aboard the SOHO spacecraft during 1996-1997. All events were associated with impu lsive soft X-ray flares, Type II radio bursts and coronal mass ejections (C MEs). Most attention is concentrated on the SEP acceleration during the fir st 100 minutes after the flare impulsive phase, post-impulsive-phase accele ration, being observed in eruptions centered at different solar longitudes. As a representative pattern of a (nearly) well-connected event, we conside r the west flare and CME of 9 July 1996 (S10 W30). Similarities and dissimi larities of the post-impulsive-phase acceleration at large heliocentric-ang le distance from the eruption center are illustrated with the 24 September 1997 event (S31 E19). We conclude that the proton acceleration at intermedi ate scales, between flare acceleration and interplanetary CME-driven shock acceleration, significantly contributes to the production of greater than o r similar to 10 MeV protons. This post-impulsive-phase acceleration seems t o be caused by the CME lift-off.