Ground Based Support of the Space Mission Parker Performed with Ukrainian Low Frequency Radio Telescopes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how large Ukrainian decameter radio telescopes can effectively support the PSP space mission by performing joint observations and cross calibration of onboard radio receivers, enhancing solar corona diagnostics.

Contribution

It introduces a method for joint space-terrestrial radio observations and demonstrates cross calibration of PSP radio receivers using Ukrainian ground-based telescopes.

Findings

Successful joint observations of solar radio bursts in 0.5-32 MHz

Effective cross calibration of PSP radio receivers using ground data

Validation of ground-based support for space mission diagnostics

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the effectiveness of ground-based support for space missions, primarily PSP, using large Ukrainian decameter radio telescopes. Another goal of the work is to carry out cross calibration of the radiometers onboard spacecraft using the calibrated data of the ground-based radio telescopes. One of the most common methods of remote diagnostics of the solar corona is the study of radio emission, the sources of which are located in the solar corona at different heliocentric altitudes. The technique of joint space terrestrial observations consists in the simultaneous observation of individual events and their analysis in the widest possible frequency band during the maximum approach of the PSP vehicle to the Sun. At the same time, observation in the common frequency band is proposed to be used for calibration of the onboard radio receivers. The methods of planning joint space terrestrial observations are substantiated. Using the data of the UTR 2, URAN 2 radio telescopes and the PSP probe, the dynamic and polarization spectra of the simultaneously observed bursts on June 9, 2020 were obtained. The identification and comparison of individual bursts was carried out. A common dynamic spectrum of the bursts in the frequency band 0.5 ... 32 MHz was obtained. Cross calibration of the HFR receiver of the FIELDS PSP module in the frequency band 10...18 MHz was made using the calibrated data of terrestrial radio telescopes. The effectiveness of ground-based support of the PSP mission by the large Ukrainian radio telescopes is shown. Examples of joint observations are given, and the method of cross calibration of the FIELD PSP module receivers is demonstrated. Prospects for further ground based support for solar space missions are presented