VLF observation of a solar flare by lunar occultation during annular solar eclipse of January 15th, 2010

Abstract

We report the results of our monitoring of the NWC transmitter from Khukurdaha (~80 km away from Kolkata) during the partial solar eclipse (75%) of 15th January, 2010. The receiving station and the transmitter were on two opposite sides of the annular eclipse belt. We got clear depression in the data during the period of partial eclipse. However, most extraordinarily, there was a solar flare (spot no. 1040) on that day during the time when the eclipse was near maximum. The flare started from B type, reaching maximum to C1.3 (as observed by GOES 14 satellite). We saw the occultation of this flare by the moon's limb. To our knowledge this is the first such incident where the solar flare was observed through lunar occultation.