Monitoring

g Solar flares
by Radio Astronomy
Presented at the RASC Sunshine Coast Centre,
Centre
February 8th, 2013, 7:30 pm

Mike Bradley,
RASC Sunshine Coast Centre
Solar flares
Solar flares occur when
sunspots with very
complex magnetic fields
become unstable and
start to untangle
themselves. This
process releases very Unstable sunspot group
large quantities of
energy .

► The X-
X-ray and UV energy released by these solar
flares makes its way to Earth and interacts with
the upper atmosphere to create a SID.
Ionospheric Layers
Ionospheric Layers
► •Topside
p
From F2 layer to 500/1000km transition O+ less than
H+ & He+
► •F Layer
Above 150km, reflecting F2 layer, ions NO+ to O+
► •E
E Layer
95 – 150km, ions are mainly O++, also thick E2, thin
sporadic
p E
► •D Layer
75 – 95km, weak ionisation,
ionisation, absorbs HF
Understanding the ionospheric
response
► When the X- X-rayy and UV energy
gy reaches the upper
pp levels of
our atmosphere it rapidly increases the ionisation levels of
the ionosphere levels that are responsible for refracting
terrestrial radio signals
signals.

► Terrestrial radio signals at very low frequencies (below

30kH ) propagate
30kHz) t as guided
id d waves between
b t the
th earths
th
surface and the “D” layer. They can also penetrate
seawater to about 10m.

► During a solar flare the ionisation of the layer increases

dramaticallyy and its height
g rapidly
p y reduces. After the flare,,
through recombination, its ionisation gradually returns to
normal and the layer gradually rises to its original level.
Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance (SID)
►A sudden ionospheric disturbance is an
abnormally high ionization/plasma density in the D
region of the ionosphere caused by a solar flare.

► The SID results in a sudden increase in radio

radio--wave
absorption that is most severe in the upper
medium frequency (MF) and lower high frequency
( ) ranges, and
(HF) d as a result
l often
f interrupts or
interferes with telecommunications systems. *

* Federal Standard 1037C, Glossary of Telecommunications Terms

Quiet Sun

Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio signals (3...30kHz) are

guided between the conducting ground and the D- D-layer.
Th D-
The D-layer
l iis a region
i off th
the iionosphere
h th
thatt iis ionised
i i d
directly by solar radiation. It is present only during the day,
and responds quickly to changes in solar radiation.
Night time

At night, solar radiation cannot ionise the D

D--layer. Very
Low Frequency radio signals cannot propagate efficiently.
Thee E-
E-layer
aye iss responsible
espo s b e for
o reflecting
e ect g higher
g e frequency
eque cy
radio signals, which often rise in strength at night.
Active sun

Solar flares produce UV and X- X-rays, increasing the

ionisation (electron density) of the D
D--layer. The Sudden
Ionospheric Disturbances (SIDs) alter VLF propagation
propagation,
producing rapid and distinctive changes in received signal
strength.
Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio

► The VLF signals we are interested are the

submarine signals used by all countries with
naval submarines.
submarines Typically 3 3--30 kHz
kHz.
► VLF wavelength penetrate a short distance
into seawater so subs don’t
don t need to surface
to communicate.
► Monitoring
M it i theseth signals
i l is
i legal,
l l the
th coded
d d
information content is of no interest, it’s
only
l the
th signal
i l strength
t th we monitor.
it
Jim Creek, WA, US Navy transmitter
About 24.8 kHz

•Amplitude (Peak-
(Peak-to
to--Peak)

•Å Radio

•1 Cycle = 12 km
o Signal Æ

•Å Distance traveled over time Æ

•How to make this Computation?

•Speed of light: c = 300,000 km/Sec
•Frequency:
F f = 24,800
24 800 Cycles/Sec
C l /S
•Wave Length: λ = c / f km / Cycle
The VLF signals I monitor

La Moure ND
Jim Creek WA

Jim Creek is so close (150 km) that the ground wave signal
dominates. La Moure gives better results (2500 km)
Detecting the signal
► The frequencies we are trying to monitor are similar
wavelengths to audio waves, but they are electrical
electrical,,
not sound pressure waves.
► A microphone converts sound pressure variations into
electrical signals. An antenna converts electrical
waves into electrical signals.
► Simply connecting an antenna to the soundcard of a
computer is theh simplest
l way to digitise
d andd capture
the signals we want.
► Even
E on cloudy
l d days,
d from
f your basement!
b t!
Detecting the signal

► Alternatively a dedicated very low frequency

(VLF) receiver can be used
► Several designs
designs, most not too difficult to build
► Amateur and Educational commercial units
available
il bl
Continuously recording the signal

► Save the output from the PC soundcard as a

file, analogue or digital.
or
► Capture the average signal strength as a
voltage
lt on a chart
h t recorderd or an analogue
l
to digital converter

► Observe and analyse

y
Flat file structure
UTC 24800 25000 25200
00.00.01 ‐95.52 ‐112.59 ‐112.26
00.00.21 ‐95.66 ‐112.79 ‐112.28
00 00 41
00.00.41 ‐95.7
95 7 ‐112.83
112 83 ‐112.33
112 33
00.01.01 ‐95.76 ‐113.03 ‐112.19
00.01.21 ‐95.9
95.9 ‐113.07
113.07 ‐112.28
112.28
00.01.41 ‐95.97 ‐113.25 ‐112.37

23.59.01 ‐97.75 ‐113.73 ‐114.14

23 59 21 ‐97.75
23.59.21 97 75 ‐113.91
113 91 ‐114.29
114 29
23.59.41 ‐97.64 ‐114.15 ‐114.95
Software
► Spectrum Lab is a full featured audio analysis
program, it performs frequency analysis and
spectrum sampling, ideal for SID. It is also free.

► The frequency analysis is done using the Fast

Fourier Transform rather than discrete filters and
therefore the Nyquist sampling limit apply

► Thismeans the PC soundcard must be able to

sample at a minimum of twice the highest frequency
b i observed
being b d i.e.
i 25.2kHz
25 2kH -> 50.4
50 4 kHz
kH -> 96kHz
96kH
 Spectrum Lab –Audio spectrum screen
Audio spectrum

Waterfall chart
Spectrum Lab – FFT detail

Jim Creek WA 24.8 kHz La Moure ND 25.5 kHz

Unknown, Russian Federation 25.0 kHz

Spectrum Lab can be configured to save the values of

these peaks to a simple text file or to simply draw a chart.
 0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
07:00: 03
07:35: 31
08:10: 59
08:46: 27

•Nighttime
09:21: 56
09:57: 24
10:32: 52

•Sunrise
11:08: 20
11:43: 48
12:19: 16
12:54: 44
13:30: 12
14:05: 40
14:41: 08
15:16: 36
15:52: 04
16:27: 32
17:03: 00

•Daytime
17:38: 28
18:13: 56
18:49: 24
19:24: 53
20:00: 21

•Time in UT
20:35: 49
21:11: 17
21:46: 45
•Local Noon

22:22: 13
22:57: 41
23:33: 09
•Sunset
00:08: 37
00:44: 05
01:19: 33
Normal 24 Hr. Day (No flares)

01:55: 01
02:30: 29
03:05: 57
03:41: 25
04:16: 53
•Nighttime

04:52: 21
05:27: 50
06:03: 18
06:38: 46
 2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
07:00:003
07:31:226
08:02:448
08:34:111
09:05:334
09:36:556
10:08:119

Local Nighttime
10:39:442
11:11:005
11:42:227
12:13:550
12:45:113
Detecting

Sunrise
13:16:335
13:47:558
14:19:221
14:50:444
15:22:006
15:53:229
16:24:552
16:56:114
17:27:337
17:59:000
18:30:223
19:01:445
19:33:008
20:04:331
20:35:553
21:07:116
Daytime
•SID Events!

21:38:339
22:10:001
22:41:224
23:12:447
23:44:110
00:15:332
00:46:555
01:18:118
01:49:440
02:21:003
02:52:226
g Solar Flares – SID(s)
( )

needed to help answer “What are these events?”

events?”

03:23:449
03:55:111
04:26:334
04:57:557
05:29:119
06:00:442
However, not all SID events are explainable. Research is
Local Nighttime

06:32:005
 2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
07:00:003
07:31:226
08:02:448
08:34:111
09:05:334
09:36:556
10:08:119

Local Nighttime
10:39:442
11:11:005
11:42:227
12:13:550
12:45:113

Sunrise
13:16:335
13:47:558
satellite data

14:19:221
14:50:444
15:22:006
15:53:229
16:24:552
16:56:114
17:27:337
•C4.5

17:59:000
18:30:223
19:01:445
19:33:008
20:04:331
•C5.9
C5 9

20:35:553
21:07:116
Daytime

21:38:339
22:10:001
•C3.8

22:41:224
23:12:447
Connecting SID to GOES X-

23:44:110
00:15:332
•M1.3

00:46:555
01:18:118
X-ray

01:49:440
02:21:003
02:52:226
03:23:449
03:55:111
04:26:334
04:57:557
05:29:119
06:00:442
Local Nighttime

06:32:005
Flare Classifications
Class Energy 6

X 10-4..10-3W/m2 5
4
M 10-5..10-4W/m2 3
C 10-6..10-5W/m2 2
1
B 10-7..10-6W/m
/ 2
0
A 10-8..10-7W/m2 A B C M X

Logarithmic scale, each class can be further divided by 10, ie C 5.6 or M1.5

Typical quiet sun produces energy in the A or B class, Most flares fall into
the B or C class.
class Very energetic flares are M or X class
class.

Extremely energetic flares can exceed X9.9, ie X20!!!

Solar activity varies from day to day

Animation courtesy Moore Observatory, Kentucky

 -120
-115
-110
-105
-100
-95
-90
00.00.01
00.28.21
00.56.41
01.25.01
01.53.21
02.21.41
02.50.01
03.18.21
03.46.41
04.15.01
04.43.21
05.11.41
05.40.01
06.08.20
06.36.40
07.05.00
07.33.20
08.01.40
08.30.00
08.58.20
09.26.40
09.55.00
10.23.20
10.51.40
11.20.00

•UTC
11.48.20
12.16.40
12.45.00
13.13.20
13.41.40
14.10.00
14.38.20
15.06.40
15.35.00
16.03.20
16.31.40
17.00.00
17.28.20
17.56.41
Nov 13th from Roberts Creek

18.25.01
18.53.21
19.21.41
19.50.01
20.18.21
20.46.41
21.15.01
21.43.21
22.11.41
22.40.01
23.08.21
23.36.41
 dB

-108
-107
-106
-105
20.32
2.21
20.34
4.41
20.37
7.01
20.39
9.21
20.41.41
4.01
20.44
20.46
6.21
20.48
8.41
20.51.01
3.21
20.53
20.55
5.41
20.58
8.01
21.00
0.21
21.02
2.41
21.05
5.01
21.07
7.21
21.09
9.41
21.12
2.01
21.14
4.21
21.16
6.41
21.19
9.01
21.21.21

UTC
3.41
21.23
21.26
6.01
21.28
8.21
21.30
0.41
21.33
3.01
21.35
5.21
NML VLF (N.Dakota)

21.37
7.41
21.40
0.01
21.42
2.21
21.44
4.41
Nov 13th from Roberts Creek

21.47
7.01
X Class flare 6.1e-3, Event 2410

21.49
9.21
21.51.41
4.01
21.54
21.56
6.21
21.58
8.41
22.01.01
22.03
3.21
22.05
5.41
22.08
8.01
Sunspot AR1613, Event 2410

Solar image courtesy HeliumFusion channel, YouTube

Conclusions

► Strictly speaking this is not a radio

telescope.. We are not detecting radio waves
telescope
directly from space
space.
► Instead we are detecting the effect of solar
activity indirectly,
indirectly so it is certainly radio
astronomy!!
astronomy
► A simple,
i l lowl cost,
t interesting
i t ti project
j t for
f a
rainy afternoon
A proper Radio Telescope!

Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO)

at White Lake in the Okanagan. The area is federally
protected from radio interference.
Thank yyou for yyour
attention!
Questions?
Tuning the Antenna (not essential)

25.2kHz