Coronal electron density: Insights from radio and in situ observations, and EUHFORIA modeling

TL;DR

This study combines radio, in situ, and modeling observations to validate coronal electron density estimates, revealing complex propagation paths and density variations near the Sun, crucial for understanding solar corona and space weather.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive validation of coronal electron density using new PSP in situ data, radio triangulation, and EUHFORIA modeling, enhancing understanding of plasma properties close to the Sun.

Findings

Radio triangulation shows propagation paths southward from the Sun.

Electron densities vary significantly depending on propagation paths and models.

EUHFORIA identifies high-density regions along type III burst paths.

Abstract

The distribution of the coronal electron density at different distances from the Sun strongly influences the physical processes in the solar corona and is therefore a very important topic in solar physics. Most methods, including radio observations, used for estimating coronal electron density were not fully validated due to the absence of in situ observations closer to the Sun. Consequently, space weather forecasting models that simulate coronal density lacked proper validation. Newly available PSP in situ observations at distances close to the Sun provide an opportunity to study plasma properties near the Sun and to compare observational and modeling results. This work studies type III bursts, estimates their propagation path, and validates coronal electron density obtained from radio, in situ observations, and modeling with EUHFORIA. Type III bursts observed during the second PSP perihelion are analyzed using radio triangulation and modeling. We determine 3D positions of radio sources and use EUHFORIA to estimate electron densities at various locations. The electron densities derived from radio observations and EUHFORIA modeling are inter-validated with in situ PSP measurements. We studied 11 type III bursts during the second PSP perihelion, with radio triangulation showing propagation paths southward from the solar ecliptic plane. Radio source sizes ranged from 0.5 to 40 deg (0.5 to 25 Rs) with no clear frequency dependence, indicating that scattering of radio waves was not very significant. Comparison of electron densities from radio triangulation, PSP data, and EUHFORIA modeling showed a large range of values, influenced by different propagation paths and model limitations. Despite these variations, EUHFORIA identified high-density regions along type III burst paths.