Total Solar Flux Intensity at 11.2 GHz as an Indicator of Solar Activity and Cyclicity

Juha Kallunki, Minttu Uunila

Metsahovi Radio Observatory, Aalto University, Kylmala, Finland.

DOI: 10.4236/ijaa.2014.43039                

Abstract

In this paper we present an overview of solar radio observations at 11.2 GHz on Mets?hovi Radio Observatory (MRO). The data were observed during the solar cycles 23 and 24 (2001-2013) both in solar maxima and minimum. In total, 180 solar radio bursts, with varying intensities and properties, were observed. We compare our data series with other similar data sets. A good correlation can be found between the data series. It is concluded that one can conduct scientifically significant solar radio observations with a low cost instrument as the one presented in this paper.

Keywords

Solar Activity, Solar Flare, Solar Cycle, Solar Radio Burst

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Kallunki, J. (2009) Possibilities of the Mets?hovi Radiotelescopes for Solar Observations. Licentiate Thesis, Faculty of Information and Natural Sciences, Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo.
[2]	Khodachenko, M.L., Kislyakova, K.G., Zaqarashvili, T.V., et al. (2011) Possible Manifestation of Large-Scale Transverse Oscillations of Coronal Loops in Solar Microwave Emission. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 525, A105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201014860
[3]	Kallunki, J., Lavonen, N., Jarvela, E. and Uunila, M. (2012) A Study of Long-Term Solar Activity at 37 GHz. Baltic Astronomy, 21, 255-262.
[4]	Benz, A.O. (2009) Quiet and Slowly Varying Radio Emissions of the Sun. The Landolt-Boernstein Database, LB VI/4B 4.1.1.6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-88055-4
[5]	Gary, D.E. and Keller, C.U. (Eds.) (2004) Solar and Space Weather Radiophysics. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, XXIV, 400 p.
[6]	Jiricka, K., Karlicky , M., Mészárosová, H. and Snízek, V. (2001) Global Statistics of 0.8-2.0 GHz Radio Bursts and Fine Structures Observed during 1992-2000 by the Ondrejov Radiospectrograph. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 375, 243-250. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20010782
[7]	Nita, G.M. (2004) Statistical Study of Solar Radio Bursts. PhD Thesis, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
[8]	Natural Resources Canada. http://www.spaceweather.gc.ca/solarflux/sx-eng.php
[9]	US Air Force Weather Agency. http://www.afweather.af.mil/units/spaceweatheroperations.asp
[10]	NOAA’s National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC). http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/space-weather/solar-data/solar-features/solar-radio/radio-bursts/reports/fixed-frequency-listings/
[11]	Kallunki, J., Uunila, M. and Monstein, C. (2013) Callisto Radio Spectrometer for Observing the Sun—Metsahovi Radio Observatory Joins the Worldwide Observing Network. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, 28, 5-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MAES.2013.6575404
[12]	RHESSI, Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager. http://hesperia.gsfc.nasa.gov/rhessi2/