Interplanetary shocks lacking type II radio bursts

TL;DR

This study analyzes 222 interplanetary shocks, revealing that about 34% lack type II radio bursts, with associated CMEs being generally slower, less energetic, and exhibiting different kinematic properties compared to radio-loud shocks.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive statistical analysis of radio-quiet interplanetary shocks and their solar and CME characteristics.

Findings

34% of IP shocks are radio quiet.

Radio-quiet shocks are associated with slower, less energetic CMEs.

Radio-quiet shocks are mostly subcritical and quasi-perpendicular.

Abstract

We report on the radio-emission characteristics of 222 interplanetary (IP) shocks. A surprisingly large fraction of the IP shocks (~34%) is radio quiet (i.e., the shocks lacked type II radio bursts). The CMEs associated with the RQ shocks are generally slow (average speed ~535 km/s) and only ~40% of the CMEs were halos. The corresponding numbers for CMEs associated with radio loud (RL) shocks are 1237 km/s and 72%, respectively. The RQ shocks are also accompanied by lower peak soft X-ray flux. CMEs associated with RQ (RL) shocks are generally accelerating (decelerating). The kinematics of CMEs associated with the km type II bursts is similar to those of RQ shocks, except that the former are slightly more energetic. Comparison of the shock The RQ shocks seem to be mostly subcritical and quasi-perpendicular. The radio-quietness is predominant in the rise phase and decreases through the maximum and declining phases of solar cycle 23. The solar sources of the shock-driving CMEs follow the sunspot butterfly diagram, consistent with the higher-energy requirement for driving shocks.