Inter-planetary type-IV solar radio bursts: A comprehensive catalog and statistical results

TL;DR

This paper presents a detailed catalog of decameter-hectometric (DH) type-IV solar radio bursts observed over 27 years, analyzing their association with CMEs, spectro-temporal features, and observational perspectives to enhance understanding of solar radio emissions and space weather.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive catalog of DH type-IV bursts with statistical analysis, exploring their CME associations, directivity, and observational characteristics from multiple vantage points.

Findings

73% of bursts linked to fast, wide CMEs

78% of bursts associated with halo CMEs

Type-IV bursts are best observed within ±60° line of sight

Abstract

Decameter hectometric (DH; 1-14 MHz) type-IV radio bursts are produced by flare-accelerated electrons trapped in post-flare loops or the moving magnetic structures associated with the CMEs. From a space weather perspective, it is important to systematically compile these bursts, explore their spectro-temporal characteristics, and study the associated CMEs. We present a comprehensive catalog of DH type-IV bursts observed by the Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation (WAVES) instruments onboard Wind and STEREO spacecraft, covering the period of white-light CME observations by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) onboard the SOHO mission between November 1996 and May 2023. The catalog has 139 bursts, of which 73% are associated with a fast (>900 km/s) and wide (>60$^o$) CME, with a mean CME speed of 1301 km/s. All DH type-IV bursts are white-light CME-associated, with 78% of the events associated with halo CMEs. The CME source latitudes are within $\pm$45$^o$. 77 events had multi-vantage point observations from different spacecraft, letting us explore the impact of line of sight on the dynamic spectra. For 48 of the 77 events, there was good data from at least two spacecraft. We find that, unless occulted by nearby plasma structures, a type-IV burst is best viewed when observed within $\pm$60$^o$ line of sight. Also, the bursts with a duration above 120 min, have source longitudes within $\pm$60$^o$. Our inferences confirm the inherent directivity in the type-IV emission. Additionally, the catalog forms a sun-as-a-star DH type-IV burst database.