Auroral Radio Emissions Research Articles

Constraints on magnetospheric radio emission from Y dwarfs

Abstract As a pilot study of magnetism in Y dwarfs, we have observed the three known infrared variable Y dwarfs WISE J085510.83−071442.5, WISE J140518.40+553421.4, and WISEP J173835.53+273258.9 with the NSF’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array in the 4–8 GHz frequency range. The aim was to investigate the presence of non-bursting quiescent radio emission as a proxy for highly circularly polarized radio emission associated with large-scale auroral currents. Measurements of magnetic fields on Y dwarfs may be possible by observing auroral radio emission, and such measurements are essential for constraining fully convective magnetic dynamo models. We do not detect any pulsed or quiescent radio emission, down to rms noise levels of 7.2 µJy for WISE J085510.83−071442.5, 2.2 µJy for WISE J140518.40+553421.4, and 3.2 µJy for WISEP J173835.53+273258.9. The fractional detection rate of radio emission from T dwarfs is ∼10 per cent suggesting that a much larger sample of deep observations of Y dwarfs is needed to rule out radio emission in the Y dwarf population. We discuss a framework that uses an empirical relationship between the auroral tracer Hα emission and quiescent radio emission to identify brown-dwarf auroral candidates. Finally, we discuss the implications that Y dwarf radio detections and non-detections can have for developing a picture of brown dwarf magnetism and auroral activity.

HST/STIS analysis of the first main sequence pulsar CU Virginis

Context. CU Vir has been the first main sequence star that showed regular radio pulses that persist for decades, resembling the radio lighthouse of pulsars and interpreted as auroral radio emission similar to that found in planets. The star belongs to a rare group of magnetic chemically peculiar stars with variable rotational period. Aims. We study the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of CU Vir obtained using STIS spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to search for the source of radio emission and to test the model of the rotational period evolution. Methods. We used our own far-UV and visual photometric observations supplemented with the archival data to improve the parameters of the quasisinusoidal long-term variations of the rotational period. We predict the flux variations of CU Vir from surface abundance maps and compare these variations with UV flux distribution. We searched for wind, auroral, and interstellar lines in the spectra. Results. The UV and visual light curves display the same long-term period variations supporting their common origin. New updated abundance maps provide better agreement with the observed flux distribution. The upper limit of the wind mass-loss rate is about 10−12 M⊙ yr−1. We do not find any auroral lines. We find rotationally modulated variability of interstellar lines, which is most likely of instrumental origin. Conclusions. Our analysis supports the flux redistribution from far-UV to near-UV and visual domains originating in surface abundance spots as the main cause of the flux variability in chemically peculiar stars. Therefore, UV and optical variations are related and the structures leading to these variations are rigidly confined to the stellar surface. The radio emission of CU Vir is most likely powered by a very weak presumably purely metallic wind, which leaves no imprint in spectra.

Diving within Saturn's rings.

![Figure][1] A diagram of Cassini's final orbits (blue curves), showing the last ring-grazing orbit and the 22 Grand Finale orbits. IMAGE: NASA JET PROPULSION LABORATORY Launched in 1997, the Cassini spacecraft arrived at Saturn in 2004 and spent the following 12 years orbiting far outside the planet's rings. Among the mission's many discoveries were potentially habitable environments on Saturn's moons, including a subsurface ocean of water on Enceladus. To avoid accidental contamination of the moons with any Earth bacteria that might have hitched a ride on the spacecraft, mission planners decided that when Cassini ran out of fuel it would be deliberately crashed into Saturn. As fuel reserves ran low, the spacecraft embarked on a series of maneuvers that took it through previously unexplored regions and ended with its destruction. The first phase was a series of 20 “ring-grazing” orbits in which Cassini passed near the outer edge of the rings. Then the trajectory was shifted to fly through the gap between the planet and the inner edge of the rings, a phase dubbed the “Grand Finale.” Cassini flew through this region 22 times, in various orientations designed to optimize the scientific measurements made by its numerous instruments. Finally, in 2017 Cassini dove into the planet itself at 35 km s−1, leading to the spacecraft's fiery disintegration in the upper atmosphere. The papers in this section present results from those final phases of the mission. They include studies of Saturn's puzzling magnetic field, an isolated inner radiation belt, auroral radio emission, the mass and composition of solid grains falling from the rings toward the planet, and the composition of Saturn's atmosphere. Many more results will follow from Cassini's last period of exploration in the Saturn system. [1]: pending:yes

The polarization mode of the auroral radio emission from the early-type star HD 142301

ABSTRACT We report the detection of the auroral radio emission from the early-type magnetic star HD 142301. New VLA observations of HD 142301 detected highly polarized amplified emission occurring at fixed stellar orientations. The coherent emission mechanism responsible for the stellar auroral radio emission amplifies the radiation within a narrow beam, making the star where this phenomenon occurs similar to a radio lighthouse. The elementary emission process responsible for the auroral radiation mainly amplifies one of the two magneto-ionic modes of the electromagnetic wave. This explains why the auroral pulses are highly circularly polarized. The auroral radio emission of HD 142301 is characterized by a reversal of the sense of polarization as the star rotates. The effective magnetic field curve of HD 142301 is also available making it possible to correlate the transition from the left to the right-hand circular polarization sense (and vice versa) of the auroral pulses with the known orientation of the stellar magnetic field. The results presented in this letter have implications for the estimation of the dominant magneto-ionic mode amplified within the HD 142301 magnetosphere.

Detection of α Centauri at radio wavelengths: chromospheric emission and search for star–planet interaction

At radio wavelengths, solar-type stars emit thermal free-free and gyroresonance, gyrosynchrotron, and impulsive coherent emission. Thermal free-free emission originates at layers where the optical depth is close to unit, while high brightness temperature, variable emission, can be due to flares via gyrosynchrotron emission. We observed the alpha Cen system with the Australian Telescope Compact Array at 2 GHz for three days and 17 GHz for one day. Both stars have been detected at 17 GHz, while only an upper limit has been obtained at low frequency despite the longer integration time. The brightness temperatures are consistent with the temperature of the upper chromosphere of the Sun. Inverting the formulae of the free-free emission, the average electron density of the plasma has been inferred. The same procedure was applied to the data in the millimetre recently acquired with ALMA. A comparison with the atmospheric solar models reveals a higher level of activity in alpha Cen B rather than in alpha Cen A, even if still at quiescent level. The non detection at 2 GHz allows us to put a lower limit in the filling factor of active regions. The claimed detection of an Earth size planet in close orbit to alpha Cen B, although doubtful, opens the opportunity to check the existence of Star-Planet Magnetic Interaction (SPMI). We constructed dynamic spectra in the 1.3 - 2.9 GHz of the 2 stars to search for time-variable coherent emission but obtained a null result.

Radio Emission of the High-Latitude Ionosphere as a Result of the Cutoff Mode of the Auroral Ionospheric Duct

Issues of radio emission of the auroral ionosphere are considered with the use of the classical electrodynamics approach, according to which a natural waveguide is formed in the Earth’s ionosphere owing to formation of a trough in the high-latitude ionosphere. Parameters and characteristics of the auroral ionospheric dielectric duct have been estimated on the basis of the obtained experimental data on the properties of the ionospheric trough. The hypothesis that the LF and VLF electromagnetic auroral radio emission in the high-latitude ionosphere is due to the approach of the auroral waveguide to the cutoff mode has been considered. It has been found that the radio emission bands correspond to the eigenmodes of the ionospheric duct under consideration. It has been shown that, within the proposed approach, not only the radio emission frequency band of the high-latitude ionosphere but also the polarization of the radio emission observed in the experiments can be explained.

The Strongest Magnetic Fields on the Coolest Brown Dwarfs

Abstract We have used NSF’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array to observe a sample of five known radio-emitting late-L and T dwarfs ranging in age from ∼0.2 to 3.4 Gyr. We observed each target for seven hours, extending to higher frequencies than previously attempted and establishing proportionally higher limits on maximum surface magnetic field strengths. Detections of circularly polarized pulses at 8–12 GHz yield measurements of 3.2–4.1 kG localized magnetic fields on four of our targets, including the archetypal cloud variable and likely planetary-mass object T2.5 dwarf SIMP J01365663+0933473. We additionally detect a pulse at 15–16.5 GHz for the T6.5 dwarf 2MASS 10475385+2124234, corresponding to a localized 5.6 kG field strength. For the same object, we tentatively detect a 16.5–18 GHz pulse, corresponding to a localized 6.2 kG field strength. We measure rotation periods between ∼1.47–2.28 hr for 2MASS J10430758+2225236, 2MASS J12373919+6526148, and SDSS J04234858–0414035, supporting (i) an emerging consensus that rapid rotation may be important for producing strong dipole fields in convective dynamos, and/or (ii) rapid rotation is a key ingredient for driving the current systems powering auroral radio emission. We observe evidence of variable structure in the frequency-dependent time series of our targets on timescales shorter than a rotation period, suggesting a higher degree of variability in the current systems near the surfaces of brown dwarfs. Finally, we find that age, mass, and temperature together cannot account for the strong magnetic fields produced by our targets.

Low‐Frequency Extensions of the Saturn Kilometric Radiation as a Proxy for Magnetospheric Dynamics

AbstractSaturn Kilometric Radiation (SKR) is an auroral radio emission which can be detected quasi‐continuously by the Cassini spacecraft. It has been shown to respond to magnetotail reconnection and to changes in solar wind conditions and thus offers the potential to be used as a remote proxy for magnetospheric dynamics. This work has developed criteria for the selection of low‐frequency extensions (LFEs), powerful intensifications of the main SKR emission, accompanied by an expansion of the SKR to lower frequencies. Upon examination of data from the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument, we detect 282 LFE events which are further grouped into two categories. Shorter events (<20 h) associated with tail reconnection have a median waiting time of ∼10 h, a median duration of 3.1 h and a strong correlation with the northern and southern SKR phase systems. The 60% of the short LFEs have a reconnection event within the preceding 6 h. Longer events (>20 h), associated with increases in solar wind dynamic pressure, can last multiple planetary rotations, have a median waiting time of ∼20 days, and show no relationship with SKR phase. An analysis of the power emitted during LFEs suggests that tail reconnection is not always observed or detected in situ which may partially explain the low correlation between LFEs and tail reconnection. We conclude that short LFEs are a good proxy for reconnection in the tail.

Auroral radio emission from low-mass stars

Auroral radio emission from low-mass stars

A new view of Jupiter's auroral radio spectrum

AbstractJuno's first perijove science observations were carried out on 27 August 2016. The 90° orbit inclination and 4163 km periapsis altitude provide the first opportunity to explore Jupiter's polar magnetosphere. A radio and plasma wave instrument on Juno called Waves provided a new view of Jupiter's auroral radio emissions from near 10 kHz to ~30 MHz. This frequency range covers the classically named decametric, hectometric, and broadband kilometric radio emissions, and Juno observations showed much of this entire spectrum to consist of V‐shaped emissions in frequency‐time space with intensified vertices located very close to the electron cyclotron frequency. The proximity of the radio emissions to the cyclotron frequency along with loss cone features in the energetic electron distribution strongly suggests that Juno passed very close to, if not through, one or more of the cyclotron maser instability sources thought to be responsible for Jupiter's auroral radio emissions.

Auroral radio emission from ultracool dwarfs: a Jovian model

A number of fast-rotating ultra cool dwarfs (UCDs) emit pulsed coherent radiation, attributed to the electron cyclotron maser instability, a phenomenon that occurs in the solar system at planets with strong auroral emission. In this paper we examine magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling currents in UCDs, adopting processes used in models of Jovian emission. We consider the angular velocity gradient arising from a steady outward flux of angular momentum from an internal plasma source, as analogous to the jovian main oval current system, as well as the interaction of a rotating magnetosphere with the external medium. Both of these mechanisms are seen in the solar system to be responsible for the production of radio emission. We present the results of an investigation over a range of relevant plasma and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling parameters to determine regimes consistent with observed UCD radio luminosities. Both processes are able to explain observed UCD luminosities with ionospheric Pedersen conductances of ~1-2 mho, either for a closed magnetosphere with a plasma mass outflow rate of ~10$^5$ kg/s, i.e. a factor of ~100 larger than that observed at Jupiter's moon Io, or for a dwarf with an open magnetosphere moving through the interstellar medium at ~50 km/s and a plasma mass outflow rate of ~1000 kg/s. The radio luminosity resulting from these mechanisms have opposing dependencies on the magnetic field strength, a point which may be used to discriminate between the two models as more data become available.

Probing the magnetosphere of the M8.5 dwarf TVLM 513−46546 by modelling its auroral radio emission. Hint of star exoplanet interaction?

In this paper we simulate the cyclic circularly-polarised pulses of the ultra-cool dwarf TVLM513-46546, observed with the VLA at 4.88 and 8.44 GHz on May 2006, by using a 3D model of the auroral radio emission from the stellar magnetosphere. During this epoch, the radio light curves are characterised by two pulses left-hand polarised at 4.88 GHz, and one doubly-peaked (of opposite polarisations) pulse at 8.44 GHz. To take into account the possible deviation from the dipolar symmetry of the stellar magnetic field topology, the model described in this paper is also able to simulate the auroral radio emission from a magnetosphere shaped like an offset-dipole. To reproduce the timing and pattern of the observed pulses, we explored the space of parameters controlling the auroral beaming pattern and the geometry of the magnetosphere. Through the analysis of the TVLM513-46546 auroral radio emission, we derive some indications on the magnetospheric field topology that is able to simultaneously reproduce the timing and patterns of the auroral pulses measured at 4.88 and 8.44 GHz. Each set of model solutions simulates two auroral pulses (singly or doubly peaked) per period. To explain the presence of only one 8.44 GHz pulse per period, we analyse the case of auroral radio emission limited only to a magnetospheric sector activated by an external body, like the case of the interaction of Jupiter with its moons.

On the links between the radio flux and magnetodisk distortions at Jupiter

AbstractUsing measurements of the Galileo magnetometer and plasma wave instrument, it is shown that the flux of the Jovian auroral radio emissions is correlated with the azimuthal component of the magnetic field (Bφ) measured in the plasma disk, the situations of large magnetic twist of the disk (large ΔBφ, the difference between the measured and the model field) corresponding to enhanced radio intensities (frequency > 300 kHz). For the four orbits discussed here (three in the postmidnight and one in the premidnight sector), representing ~44 days of observations, from 25 to 85 Jovian radius in the magnetodisk, the radio intensity observed during periods of small radial current (ΔBφ < 1 nT) is typically a factor of 5 to 10 smaller than that observed at large radial current (ΔBφ > 5–6 nT). It is proposed that these variations are the direct consequences of enhanced magnetosphere/ionosphere coupling current systems linked to episodes of larger outward mass outflows in the disk, resulting in larger parallel currents and, thus, in enhanced auroral activity. The application of Hill's model shows that the observed variations of Bφ can be explained by increasing the mass outflow rate from ~150 kg/s (quiet periods) to more than 2 t/s (“energetic” events), for Pedersen conductance ranging from 0.1 to 1 S. This is consistent with the canonical values given in the literature. It is estimated that these modulations of the mass flow rates lead to variations of the power dissipated in the disk from ~1014 to 1015 W due to the torque exerted by the magnetic coupling with Jupiter's ionosphere, with a conversion rate into the power radiated by the radio waves of the order of 10−6.

EXTRASOLAR GIANT MAGNETOSPHERIC RESPONSE TO STEADY-STATE STELLAR WIND PRESSURE AT 10, 5, 1, AND 0.2 au

ABSTRACT A three-dimensional, multifluid simulation of a giant planet’s magnetospheric interaction with steady-state stellar wind from a Sun-like star was performed for four different orbital semimajor axes—10, 5, 1, and 0.2 au. We simulate the effect of the increasing, steady-state stellar wind pressure related to the planetary orbital semimajor axis on the global magnetospheric dynamics for a Saturn-like planet, including an Enceladus-like plasma torus. Mass-loss processes are shown to vary with orbital distance, with the centrifugal interchange instability displayed only in the 10 and 5 au cases, which reach a state of mass-loss equilibrium more slowly than the 1 or 0.2 au cases. The compression of the magnetosphere in the 1 and 0.2 au cases contributes to the quenching of the interchange process by increasing the ratio of total plasma thermal energy to corotational energy. The strength of field-aligned currents, associated with auroral radio emissions, is shown to increase in magnitude and latitudinal coverage with a corresponding shift equatorward from increased dynamic ram pressure experienced in the hotter orbits. Similar to observed hot Jovian planets, the warm exo-Saturn simulated in the current work shows enhanced ion density in the magnetosheath and magnetopause regions, as well as the plasma torus, which could contribute to altered transit signals, suggesting that for planets in warmer (>0.1 au) orbits, planetary magnetic field strengths and possibly exomoons—via the plasma torus—could be observable with future missions.

Right‐hand polarized 4fce auroral roar emissions: 1. Observations

AbstractA receiving system installed at Sondrestrom, Greenland, was used to monitor all detectable auroral radio emissions at the fourth harmonic of the electron cyclotron frequency (called 4fce roar emissions) between May 2015 and March 2016. Of 88 events detected, 86 occurred during daylit conditions and were left‐hand polarized. Two occurred during darkness conditions and were right‐hand polarized. The left‐hand and right‐hand polarized events had entirely different frequency distributions. One of the right‐hand polarized 4fce emissions occurred at the same time as and at exactly twice the frequency of a second harmonic emission (2fce roar). The occurrence rate of 4fce emissions during premidnight hours under daylit conditions at Sondrestrom is 5%, comparable to previously reported occurrence rates of 2fce roar in darkness conditions at optimum latitudes of occurrence, but the occurrence rate of 4fce emissions during dark conditions is much lower, suggesting that if the right‐hand polarized events arise from coalescence of 2fce waves, only for a small fraction of nighttime 2fce roar emissions does such a process yield 4fce emissions detectable at ground level.

A SURVEY FOR Hα EMISSION FROM LATE L DWARFS AND T DWARFS*

ABSTRACT Recently, studies of brown dwarfs have demonstrated that they possess strong magnetic fields and have the potential to produce radio and optical auroral emissions powered by magnetospheric currents. This emission provides the only window on magnetic fields in the coolest brown dwarfs and identifying additional benchmark objects is key to constraining dynamo theory in this regime. To this end, we conducted a new red optical (6300–9700 Å) survey with the Keck telescopes looking for Hα emission from a sample of late L dwarfs and T dwarfs. Our survey gathered optical spectra for 29 targets, 18 of which did not have previous optical spectra in the literature, greatly expanding the number of moderate-resolution (R ∼ 2000) spectra available at these spectral types. Combining our sample with previous surveys, we confirm an Hα detection rate of 9.2± % for L and T dwarfs in the optical spectral range of L4–T8. This detection rate is consistent with the recently measured detection rate for auroral radio emission from Kao et al., suggesting that geometrical selection effects due to the beaming of the radio emission are small or absent. We also provide the first detection of Hα emission from 2MASS 0036+1821, previously notable as the only electron cyclotron maser radio source without a confirmed detection of Hα emission. Finally, we also establish optical standards for spectral types T3 and T4, filling in the previous gap between T2 and T5.

Simultaneous ground‐ and satellite‐based observation of MF/HF auroral radio emissions

AbstractWe report on the first simultaneous measurements of medium‐high frequency (MF/HF) auroral radio emissions (above 1 MHz) by ground‐ and satellite‐based instruments. Observational data were obtained by the ground‐based passive receivers in Iceland and Svalbard, and by the Plasma Waves and Sounder experiment (PWS) mounted on the Akebono satellite. We observed two simultaneous appearance events, during which the frequencies of the auroral roar and MF bursts detected at ground level were different from those of the terrestrial hectometric radiation (THR) observed by the Akebono satellite passing over the ground‐based stations. This frequency difference confirms that auroral roar and THR are generated at different altitudes across the F peak. We did not observe any simultaneous observations that indicated an identical generation region of auroral roar and THR. In most cases, MF/HF auroral radio emissions were observed only by the ground‐based detector, or by the satellite‐based detector, even when the satellite was passing directly over the ground‐based stations. A higher detection rate was observed from space than from ground level. This can primarily be explained in terms of the idea that the Akebono satellite can detect THR emissions coming from a wider region, and because a considerable portion of auroral radio emissions generated in the bottomside F region are masked by ionospheric absorption and screening in the D/E regions associated with ionization which results from auroral electrons and solar UV radiation.

3D modelling of stellar auroral radio emission

The electron cyclotron maser is the coherent emission process that gives rise to the radio lighthouse effect observed in the hot magnetic chemically peculiar star CU Virginis. It has also been proposed to explain the highly circularly polarized radio pulses observed on some ultra cool dwarfs, with spectral type earlier than M7. Such kind of coherent events resemble the auroral radio emission from the magnetized planets of the solar system. In this paper, we present a tridimensional model able to simulate the timing and profile of the pulses emitted by those stars characterized by a dipolar magnetic field by following the hypothesis of the laminar source model, used to explain the beaming of the terrestrial auroral kilometric radiation. This model proves to be a powerful tool to understand the auroral radio-emission phenomenon, allowing us to derive some general conclusions about the effects of the model's free parameters on the features of the coherent pulses, and to learn more about the detectability of such kind of pulsed radio emission.

Saturn kilometric radiation intensities during the Saturn auroral campaign of 2013

The Saturn auroral campaign carried out in the spring of 2013 used multiple Earth-based observations, remote-sensing observations from Cassini, and in situ-observations from Cassini to further our understanding of auroras at Saturn. Most of the remote sensing and Earth-based measurements are, by nature, not continuous. And, even the in situ measurements, while continuously obtained, are not always obtained in regions relevant to the study of the aurora. Saturn kilometric radiation, however, is remotely monitored nearly continuously by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument on Cassini. This radio emission, produced by the cyclotron maser instability, is tightly tied to auroral processes at Saturn as are auroral radio emissions at other planets, most notably Jupiter and Earth. This paper provides the time history of the intensity of the radio emissions through the auroral campaign as a means of understanding the temporal relationships between the sometimes widely spaced observations of the auroral activity. While beaming characteristics of the radio emissions are known to prevent single spacecraft observations of this emission from being a perfect auroral activity indicator, we demonstrate a good correlation between the radio emission intensity and the level of UV auroral activity, when both measurements are available.

Multi-instrument study of the Jovian radio emissions triggered by solar wind shocks and inferred magnetospheric subcorotation rates

The influence of solar wind conditions on the Jovian auroral radio emissions has long been debated, mostly because it has always been difficult to get accurate solar wind and radio observations at the same time. We present here a study of Jupiter׳s radio emissions compared to solar wind conditions using radio (RPWS) and magnetic (MAG) data from the Cassini spacecraft from October to December 2000, just before its flyby of Jupiter. The spacecraft was then in the solar wind and could record both the radio emissions coming from the Jovian magnetosphere and the solar wind magnetic field (IMF). With these data, we found a good correspondence between the arrival of interplanetary shocks at Jupiter and the occurrence of radio storms. Our results confirm those from the previous studies showing that fast forward shocks (FFS) trigger mostly dusk emissions, whereas fast reverse shocks (FRS) trigger both dawn and dusk emissions. FFS-triggered emissions are found to occur 10–30h after the shock arrival when the IMF is weak (below 2nT), and quasi-immediately after shock arrival when the IMF is strong (above 2nT). FRS-triggered emissions are found to occur quasi-immediately even when the IMF is weak. We show and discuss in depth the characteristic morphologies of the radio emissions related to each type of shock and their implications.We also used simultaneous radio observations from the ground-based Nançay decameter array and from the Galileo radio instrument (PWS). From the comparison of these measurements with Cassini׳s, we deduce the regions where the radio storms occur, as well as the radio source subcorotation rates. We show that FFS-triggered emissions onset happens in a sector of local time centered around 15:00 LT, and that all the shock-triggered radio sources sub-corotate with a subcorotation rate of ~50% when the IMF is below 2nT and of ~80% when it is above 2nT. These rates could correspond to the extended and compressed states of the Jovian magnetosphere.