Detection of short term response of the low ionosphere on gamma ray bursts

TL;DR

This study investigates the immediate and delayed effects of gamma ray bursts on the Earth's low ionosphere by analyzing perturbations in global VLF/LF radio signals, revealing statistically significant responses.

Contribution

It introduces a statistical method to detect short-term ionospheric responses to gamma ray bursts using global radio signal data, highlighting potential immediate and delayed reactions.

Findings

Significant ionospheric perturbations correlated with GRBs

Reactions observed immediately or within 90 seconds after GRBs

Potential for using VLF/LF signals to monitor space weather effects

Abstract

In this paper, we study the possibility of detection of short term terrestrial lower ionospheric response to gamma ray bursts (GRBs) using a statistical analysis of perturbations of six very low or low frequency (VLF/LF) radio signals emitted by transmitters located worldwide and recorded by VLF/LF receiver located in Belgrade (Serbia). We consider a sample of 54 short lasting GRBs (shorter than 1 min) detected by the SWIFT satellite during the period 2009-2012. We find that a statistically significant perturbations can be present in the low ionosphere, and reactions on GRBs may be observed immediately after the beginning of the GRB event or with a time delay of 60 s - 90 s.