Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufmsm52a..04k&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #SM52A-04
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
0734 Icing (Aufeis, Naled), 6924 Interferometry (1207, 1209, 1242), 6934 Ionospheric Propagation (0689, 2487, 3285, 4275, 4455), 6954 Radio Astronomy, 7984 Space Radiation Environment
Scientific paper
Renewed interest in lunar exploration presents an opportunity to conduct unique radio heliophysics not possible on the Earth. The absorption and refraction of low frequency radio waves by the ionosphere limits ground-based heliospheric and astrophysical radio science: Below the ionospheric plasma frequency of 1- 10MHz, external radio waves are completely attenuated. Above the ionospheric cutoff variable refraction resulting from density fluctuations prevents high fidelity imaging. An interferometric array, consisting of a cluster of antennas on the lunar surface, is an ideal scientific experiment for the first phases of the return to the moon. Following deployment by astronauts, the array of simple antennas would be "pointed" towards a source by electronically delaying the signals from the individual receivers, meaning there would be no moving parts. Since transient radio emission at these frequencies is very intense, small antennas would be sufficient for a high signal to noise detection. The array would be easy to upgrade by adding antennas to improve the imaging fidelity and sensitivity, or computer power to increase the observed bandwidth. This presentation will address the heliophysics case for a lunar radio array. I will discuss solar, planetary, and heliospheric radio emission that could be detected with such an array, the scientific understanding that would result. In particular, I will show how the array could be used to image the quiet Sun, track coronal mass ejections in interplanetary space, and to localize solar radio bursts. I will review current efforts to design lunar radio arrays and outline a concept for implementation. The program could begin with a single antenna to perform spectroscopy, increase to several antennas to localize bursts by triangulation, and finally advance to a powerful imaging radio array.
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