The return of the heliospheric 2–3 kHz radio emission during solar cycle 23

Abstract

In this paper we report the detection of a new heliospheric 2–3 kHz radio emission event by the Voyager 1 spacecraft, the first to be observed during solar cycle 23. The new event started on Nov. 1, 2002, and is believed to be associated with a strong interplanetary shock that originated from a period of intense solar activity in early April 2001. Following previous interpretations of events of this type, we assume that the radio emission is produced when the interplanetary shock interacted with the heliopause, which is the boundary between the solar wind and the interplanetary medium. From the onset time of the radio emission and a simple model for the propagation speed of the interplanetary shock, the heliocentric radial distance to the nose of the heliopause can be calculated, and is about 153 to 158 AU, depending on the parameters used. From computer simulations that give the ratio of the radial distance to the termination shock to the radial distance to the heliopause, the distance to the termination shock can also be calculated and is estimated to be about 101 to 108 AU.