Observing Jupiter's radio emissions using multiple LOFAR stations: a first case study of the Io-decametric emission using the Irish IE613, French FR606 and German DE604 stations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method for observing Jupiter's radio emissions using multiple LOFAR stations, enabling high-resolution analysis of Io-induced emissions and their substructures, with potential applications to other jovian phenomena.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel observation method combining prediction tools and data processing to study jovian decametric emissions across multiple LOFAR stations.

Findings

First observation of Io-induced decametric emission with multiple LOFAR stations.

Identification of millisecond bursts within jovian radio emissions.

Potential to analyze electron populations responsible for emissions.

Abstract

The Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) is an international radio telescope array, consisting of 38 stations in the Netherlands and 14 international stations spread over Europe. Here we present an observation method to study the jovian decametric radio emissions from several LOFAR stations (here DE604, FR606 and IE613), at high temporal and spectral resolution. This method is based on prediction tools, such as radio emission simulations and probability maps, and data processing. We report an observation of Io-induced decametric emission from June 2021, and a first case study of the substructures that compose the macroscopic emissions (called millisecond bursts). The study of these bursts make it possible to determine the electron populations at the origin of these emissions. We then present several possible future avenues for study based on these observations. The methodology and study perspectives described in this paper can be applied to new observations of jovian radio emissions induced by Io, but also by Ganymede or Europa, or jovian auroral radio emissions.