Sporadic Radio Emission Research Articles

СПОРАДИЧНЕ РАДІОВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ КОСМІЧНИХ ОБ’ЄКТІВ НА НИЗЬКИХ ЧАСТОТАХ

Purpose: The results of studies of sporadic radio emission of several types of space radio sources, including neutron stars and planets of the Solar System, are presented. The aim of this work is to review the latest achievements in the study of low-frequency radio emission of the Solar System planets and transient signals similar to pulsar pulses using the UTR-2 radio telescope. The importance of the development of the verification methods of the spaceborne radio emission in the study of sporadic signals from various sources is shown. Design/methodology/approach: The studies of sporadic signals of different nature are based on the common set of procedures for cleaning records from the terrestrial radio frequency interference (RFI) in the frequency-time pattern using the information on the nature of the particular type of sporadic radio emission, possible types of interference and signal distortion. Characteristic features of sporadic radio emission of different sources are given, and for each of them the optimal method of signal extraction is developed. The efficiency of the developed procedures for cleaning from noise using adjustable parameters is shown. This is done on the basis of observations of diverse types of space radio sources, such as lightnings in the atmospheres of planets, single pulses of neutron stars and sporadic radio emission of Jupiter. Findings: The developed methods of signal extraction detection in the presence of radio-interference have allowed obtaining the unique results such as: the distribution of the total intensity of single pulses of neutron stars depending on the galactic latitude; the automatic search of lightnings in the Saturn’s atmosphere in data due to the carefully elaborated RFI mitigation procedures, which made it possible to obtain the Saturn electrostatic discharge (SED) emission parameters based on the most complete set of events. Increased efficiency of the selection of Jupiter’s S-radiation signals despite the data corruption by the presence of radio-interference, which was reached due to the carefully chosen parameters of data cleaning procedures, have allowed us to detect short and intensive bursts, being the most informative for determining the physical parameters of radio emission in the area of their generation. Conclusions: The large effective area and high sensitivity of the UTR-2 radio telescope allow making the sporadic radio emission study with high temporal and frequency resolutions. Due to these factors we can apply a wide range of methods of space signals’ detection in the presence of terrestrial radio-frequency interference of natural and artificial origin. The data cleaning parameters allow accounting for the characteristic features of space signals and to obtain important and even unique scientific results. Key words: decameter wavelength range; UTR-2; sporadic radio emission; transients; lightning in the atmospheres of planets; Jupiter S-bursts

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ СОНЯЧНОГО ДЕКАМЕТРОВОГО РАДІОВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ ЗА ДОПОМОГОЮ РАДІОТЕЛЕСКОПА УТР-2

Purpose: The overview of the scientifi c papers devoted to the study of the solar decameter radio emission with the world’s largest UTR-2 radio telescope (Ukraine) published for the last 50 years. Design/methodology/approach: The study and analysis of the scientifi c papers on both sporadic and quiet (thermal) radiation of the Sun recorded with the UTR-2 radio telescope at the decameter wavelength range. Findings: The most signifi cant observational and theoretical results of the solar radio emission studies obtained at the Institute of Radio Astronomy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for the last 50 years are given. Conclusions: For the fi rst time, at frequencies below 30 MHz, the Type II bursts, Type IV bursts, S-bursts, drift pairs and spikes have been recorded. The dependences of these bursts parameters on frequency within the frequency band of 9 to 30 MHz were obtained. The models of their generation and propagation were suggested. Moreover, for the fi rst time the fi ne time-frequency structures of the Type III bursts, Type II bursts, Type IV bursts, U- and J-bursts, S-bursts, and drift pairs have been observed due to the high sensitivity and high time-frequency resolutions of the UTR-2 radio telescope. The super-fi ne structure of Type II bursts with a “herringbone” structure was identifi ed, which has never been observed before. New types of bursts were discovered: “caterpillar” bursts, “dog-leg” bursts, Type III bursts with decay, Type III bursts with changing drift rate sign, Type III-like bursts, Jb- and Ub-bursts, etc. An interpretation of the unusually high drift rates and drift rates with alternating signs of the Type III-like bursts was suggested. Based on the dependence of spike durations on frequency, the coronal plasma temperature profi le at the heliocentric heights of 1.5–3RS was determined. Usage of the heliographic and interferometric methods gave the possibility to start studies of the spatial characteristics – sizes and locations of the bursts emission sources. Thus, it was shown that at the decameter band, the Type III burst durations were defi ned by the emission source linear sizes, whereas the spike durations were governed by the collision times in the source plasma. It was experimentally proved that the effective brightness temperatures of the sources of solar sporadic radio emission at the decameter band may reach values of 1014–1015 K. In addition, it was found that the radii of the quiet Sun at frequencies 20 and 25 MHz are close to the distances from the Sun at which the local plasma frequency is equal to the corresponding observed frequency of radio emission in the Baumbach–Allen model. Key words: UTR-2; Sun; decameter radio emission; radio bursts; corona

Interferometric Observations of the Quiet Sun at 20 and 25 MHz in May 2014

Results of solar observations at 20 and 25 MHz by the UTR-2 (\textit{Ukrainian T-shaped Radio telescope of the second modification}) radio telescope in the interferometric session from 27 May to 2 June 2014 are presented. In such a case the different baselines 225, 450, and 675 m between sections of East--West and North--South arms of the radio telescope UTR-2 were used. On 29 May 2014, strong sporadic radio emission consisting of Type III, a Type II and a Type IV bursts was observed. On other days there was no solar radio activity in the decameter range. We discuss the results of observations of such the quiet Sun. Fluxes and sizes of the Sun in East--West and North--South directions were measured. The average fluxes were 1050--1100 Jy and 1480--1570 Jy at 20 and 25 MHz, respectively. Angular sizes of the quiet Sun in equatorial and polar directions were 55' and 49' at 20 MHz and 50' and 42' at 25 MHz. Brightness temperatures of radio emission were Tb = 5.1 10^5 K and Tb = 5.7 10^5 K at 20 and 25 MHz, respectively.

No pulsar left behind – I. Timing, pulse-sequence polarimetry and emission morphology for 12 pulsars

In this paper we study a set of twelve pulsars that previously had not been characterized. Our timing shows that eleven of them are "normal" isolated pulsars, with rotation periods between 0.22 and 2.65 s, characteristic ages between 0.25 Myr and 0.63 Gyr, and estimated magnetic fields ranging from 0.05 to 3.8x 10^{12} G. The youngest pulsar in our sample, PSR~J0627+0706, is located near the Monoceros supernova remnant (SNR G205.5+0.5), but it is not the pulsar most likely to be associated with it. We also confirmed the existence of a candidate from an early Arecibo survey, PSR~J2053+1718, its subsequent timing and polarimetry are also presented here. It is an isolated pulsar with a spin period of 119 ms, a relatively small magnetic field of 5.8x10^9 G and a characteristic age of 6.7 Gyr; this suggests the pulsar was mildly recycled by accretion from a companion star which became unbound when that companion became a supernova. We report the results of single-pulse and average Arecibo polarimetry at both 327 and 1400 MHz aimed at understanding the basic emission properties and beaming geometry of these pulsars. Three of them (PSRs~J0943+2253, J1935+1159 and J2050+1259) have strong nulls and sporadic radio emission, several others exhibit interpulses (PSRs J0627+0706 and J0927+2345) and one shows regular drifting subpulses (J1404+1159).

Progress in low-frequency radio astronomy and I.S. Shklovskii’s contribution to its development

Radio astronomy at decameter wavelengths is currently undergoing very active development. Large-scale, new generation low-frequency radio telescopes are being constructed and already used in many countries around the world. As before, the largest, most sensitive, and most versatile telescope at decameter wavelengths is the Ukrainian UTR-2 radio telescope operating at 8–32 MHz, which has an effective area of more than 105 m2 and an angular resolution of about 0.5◦, as well as the URAN interferometric system based on the UTF-2. Many studies that have been carried out on these facilities have been based on important results and far-sighted predictions of Shklovskii. These include, in particular, studies of dynamical spectra and the brightness distributions of the sporadic and quiescent decameter radio emission of the hot solar corona, complex, broadband radio spectroscopy of the interstellar medium, and multi-frequency monitoring of secular decreases in the flux densities of supernova remnants. The coordinated use of highly effective existing and newly constructed radio telescopes joined into ground networks, as well as specialized space missions, are opening new prospects for low-frequency radio astronomy.

NEW DISCOVERIES FROM THE ARECIBO 327 MHz DRIFT PULSAR SURVEY RADIO TRANSIENT SEARCH

ABSTRACT We present Clusterrank, a new algorithm for identifying dispersed astrophysical pulses. Such pulses are commonly detected from Galactic pulsars and rotating radio transients (RRATs), which are neutron stars with sporadic radio emission. More recently, isolated, highly dispersed pulses dubbed fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been identified as the potential signature of an extragalactic cataclysmic radio source distinct from pulsars and RRATs. Clusterrank helped us discover 14 pulsars and 8 RRATs in data from the Arecibo 327 MHz Drift Pulsar Survey (AO327). The new RRATs have DMs in the range 23.5–86.6 pc cm−3 and periods in the range 0.172–3.901 s. The new pulsars have DMs in the range 23.6–133.3 pc cm−3 and periods in the range 1.249–5.012 s, and include two nullers and a mode-switching object. We estimate an upper limit on the all-sky FRB rate of 105 day−1 for bursts with a width of 10 ms and flux density ≳83 mJy. The DMs of all new discoveries are consistent with a Galactic origin. In comparing statistics of the new RRATs with sources from the RRATalog, we find that both sets are drawn from the same period distribution. In contrast, we find that the period distribution of the new pulsars is different from the period distributions of canonical pulsars in the ATNF catalog or pulsars found in AO327 data by a periodicity search. This indicates that Clusterrank is a powerful complement to periodicity searches and uncovers a subset of the pulsar population that has so far been underrepresented in survey results and therefore in Galactic pulsar population models.

Decameter U-burst Harmonic Pair from a High Loop

The results of the first observations of solar sporadic radio emission within 10 – 70 MHz by the Giant Ukrainian Radio Telescope (GURT) are presented and discussed. Observations in such a wide range of frequencies considerably facilitate the registration of harmonic pairs. The solar U-burst harmonic pair observed on 8 August 2012 is analyzed. The burst key features were determined. Among them, the time delay between the fundamental and harmonic emissions was of special interest. The fundamental emission was delayed for 7 s with respect to the harmonic emission. A model for explaining the occurrence of such a delay is proposed, in which the emission source is located inside a magnetic loop containing plasma of increased density. In this case, the delay appears due to the difference in group velocities of electromagnetic waves at the fundamental and the harmonic frequencies.

Radio emission of RRAT pulsars at 111 MHz

Observations of the RRAT pulsars J0627+16, J0628+09, J1819−1458, J1826−1419, J1839−01, J1840−1419, J1846−0257, J1848−12, J1850+15, J1854+0306, J1919+06, J1913+1330, J1919+17, J1946+24, and J2033+00 observed earlier on the 64-m Parkes telescope (Australia) and the 300-m Arecibo radio telescope (Puerto Rico) at 1400 MHz were conducted at 111 MHz on the LSA radio telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy observatory in 2010–2012. A characteristic feature of these pulsars is their sporadic radio emission during rare active epochs and the absence of radio emission during long time intervals. No appreciable flare activity of these pulsars was detected in the Pushchino observations. However, processing the observations using the Fast Folding Algorithm taking into account known information about the pulsar dispersion measures and periods shows that, even during quiescent intervals, the majority of the studied pulsars generate weak radio pulses with a period corresponding to that of the radio emission of the sporadic pulses observed at active epochs. The flux of this radio emission does not exceed 100 mJy at the pulse peak, even at the low frequency of 111 MHz. This considerably hinders detection of the radio emission of RRAT pulsars at high frequencies, since the radio fluxes of RRAT pulsars decreases with increasing frequency.

The features of microwave solar radiation observed in the stage of formation and initial propagation of geoeffective coronal mass ejections

We consider sporadic radio emission which precedes recording of geoeffective coronal mass ejections, using the data of broadband patrol observations of the Sun in the centimeter-, decimeter-, and meter-wave ranges in some periods of the XXIst–XXIIIrd solar-activity cycles. The total amount of used information instruments covers 339 events and includes the data from the radioastronomical facility “Zimenki” of the Radiophysical Research Institute and from the world solar service in the radio-frequency range, as well as the catalogs of coronal mass ejections recorded by the SMM and SOHO/LASCO instruments. On the basis of statistical analysis, we reveal the regular features in the characteristics of sporadic microwave emissions observed in the twohour interval before the coronagraph detection of geoeffective coronal mass ejections, which were defined as radio precursors of such coronal mass ejections. The revealed features in the characteristics of the radio precursors of geoeffective coronal mass ejections involve the presence of the broadband centimeter–decimeter radio emission for over 10 min in the stage preceding the coronal ejection redetection by coronagraphs. Such radio precursors are shown to precede loop-like halo, and partial halo coronal mass ejections, which have maximum potential geoeffectiveness. The radio-emission behavior, which does not meet the established regular features, is also analyzed.

Auroral kilometric radio emission in the period of quiet sun in 1996

The auroral kilometric radio emission (AKR) is the most powerful sporadic radio emission of the terrestrial magnetosphere. It was discovered in 1965 by Soviet scientists in the experiment onboard the Electron-2 satellite [1]. The AKR still continues to stay an object of a large interest and detailed study (see, for example, a review by Gurnett [2]). The mechanism of cyclotron maser instability proposed by Wu and Lee [3] is a commonly accepted mechanism of AKR generation. We have demonstrated the presence of powerful AKR simultaneously in both hemispheres of the Earth in the period from August 1995 to August 1997, including summer-winter periods, on particular examples of registration of this emission in [4] where the directivity and mechanism of the emission were studied. Since in that period AKR was observed in the vicinity of perigees of the satellite orbit in both hemispheres almost at every orbit (3.8 days), we have a possibility to trace in more detail the changes in the emission power from one orbit to another in 1996 during a deep minimum of solar activity.

Influence of stellar oscillations on pulsar and magnetar magnetospheres

AbstractWe investigated influence of stellar oscillations on the electrodynamics of pulsars as well as magnetars magnetosphere. Besides finding noticeable modification of electromagnetic field and charge density in the polar cap vicinity of oscillating neutron stars we proposed qualitative hypotheses explaining phenomena of part time pulsars as well as sporadic radio emission from generally radio-quiet magnetars with the help of stellar oscillations.

Sporadic radio emission of the Sun in the decametre range

AbstractResults of the last observations of solar sporadic radio emission at the UTR-2 radio telescope (Kharkov, Ukraine) at the frequencies 10 - 30 MHz are presented. The use of new backend facilities, the DSP and 60-channel spectrometer, allows us to obtain data with time resolution up to 2 ms and frequency resolution of 12 kHz in the continuous frequency band 12 MHz. Usual Type III bursts, Type IIIb bursts, U- and J-bursts in the decameter range are discussed. Special attention is paid to detection and analysis of Type II bursts and their properties, newly discovered fine time structures of Type III bursts, Type III-like bursts, s-bursts, new observational features of drift pair bursts, and ‘absorption’ bursts.

Solar sporadic radio emission in the decametre waveband

The first results of observations of solar sporadic radio emission with the UTR-2 radio telescope in 2001–2003 are reported in this paper. Using new back-end facilities, the digital spectro-polarimeter and 60-channel spectrometer allowed us to obtain data with a time resolution up to 2 ms and a frequency resolution of 12 kHz in a continuous frequency band of 12 MHz. The usual type III bursts, type IIIb bursts, U and J bursts, spikes and unusual bursts in the decametre wavelength band are discussed in this paper. Special attention is paid to the detection and analysis of type II bursts and their properties, the fine structure of type III bursts, the new observational features of drift pair bursts, ‘absorption’ bursts and the statistical analysis of solar radio bursts.

Multi-spectral characterization of solar gamma ray events radio emission. Study case July 14, 2000.

Solar sporadic radio emission takes place in a wide range of time scales; from milliseconds to days. Researches have been conduced mainly to explain the behavior of radio emission in specific time scales and lately to millisecond spikes research has been devoted a lot of papers.In this work we pay attention to the characteristics of millisecond spikes in relation to the general activity in which they are included, processes with very different time scales.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

The Results of Studying Nonstationary Processes on the Sun by Radioastronomical Methods

This paper presents the results of studies of solar phenomena performed at the Radiophysical Research Institute (NIRFI) in the last years and based on the data of measuring the solar microwave radiation. We obtained new results concerning fragmentation of the regions of initial energy release during solar flares, their spatial and temporal dynamics, the physical conditions in flaring loops, the dynamics of energetic particles accelerated during flares, and the characteristics of sporadic radio emission during the formation and propagation of coronal mass ejections in the lower layers of the solar atmosphere.

Jovian S emission: Model of radiation source

A physical model of the radiation source and an excitation mechanism have been suggested for the S component in Jupiter's sporadic radio emission. The model provides a unique explanation for most of the interrelated phenomena observed, allowing a consistent interpretation of the emission cone structure, behavior of the integrated radio spectrum, occurrence probability of S bursts, location and size of the radiation source, and fine structure of the dynamic spectra. The mechanism responsible for the S bursts is also discussed in connection with the L type emission. Relations are traced between parameters of the radio emission and geometry of the Io flux tube. Fluctuations in the current amplitude through the tube are estimated, along with the refractive index value and mass density of the plasma near the radiation source.

Radiation from an electron beam-magnetoplasma

The possibility of direct generation of electromagnetic radiation at and near electron plasma frequency from an electron beam-magnetoplasma system is explored. The role of the electron beam is replaced by the electron plasma electrostatic wave generated by it. Under the combined influence of this electrostatic field and the magnetic field, the collective motion of the plasma particles gives rise to electromagnetic modes (transverse modes). The expressions for the transverse dielectric function and the growth rate are derived. These expressions are then applied to the sporadic radio emission from the sun.

Jovian S-burst observations at 32 MHz

JUPITER emits highly sporadic and intense radio emission in the 0.45–40 MHz frequency range1. Several high-resolution observations below 28 MHz have revealed that a significant fraction of this radiation, perhaps 25%, is comprised of S bursts, which are characterised by rapid negative drift rates R (tens of MHz s−1) and extremely narrow instantaneous band-widths (≤200 kHz2–7. The probability of observing S bursts, which are associated exclusively with source regions B and C, is determined to a large extent by the geocentric phase of Io. This has led to the widely-held conclusion that the emission is beamed from the planet's Io-associated magnetic flux tube (IFT). S-burst emission models generally assume simple adiabatic motion of trapped electrons accelerated at Io and radiating at or close to the local electron gyrofrequency (refs 8–10). The details of the emission process are unclear and at present offer no restrictions as to the sign of R; however, as the S bursts exhibit negative frequency drift (R<0), we shall speak only in terms of electron bunches radiating as they stream outward from their mirror point near the IFT foot. In this context |R| is predicted to increase rapidly from zero to some maximum value (depending upon electron energy) as the particles execute this motion. In terms of frequency, this region of the northern hemisphere IFT corresponds to fg ≳ 27 MHz. A determination of R at several points in this frequency range is then a critical test of models incorporating a trapped-electron hypothesis. Accordingly, we present here a preliminary report on observations conducted in this range.

Trapping of charged particles by transverse electromagnetic waves

An estimate is made of the maximum number of resonant particles interacting with a transverse plane electromagnetic wave. This estimate is based on the distribution function, in terms of integrals characterizing the motion of particles in a wave. The values found here for proton fluxes accelerated by an amplitude-modulated wave in the solar corona agree with those measured during sporadic radioemission bursts.

The Search for Sporadic Radio Emission from Space

The Search for Sporadic Radio Emission from Space