The Mileura Widefield Array: Application To Heliospheric Observations and Space Weather
Abstract
Radio arrays with hundreds of distributed antenna elements have recently become possible due to advances in digital information technology including high speed signal processing and wideband data transport. This paper presents the design of an array operating at frequencies below 300 MHz whose goal is to improve the sensitivity and resolution of astronomical and heliospheric observations. A demonstrator system for this array is now being planned for deployment at the Mileura Station in Western Australia, where the RFI environment is ideally suited for such low frequency observations. The potential of such an array for heliospheric and space weather observations has been studied using two techniques, namely interplanetary scintillations and Faraday rotation. Both techniques depend on observing the emission from astronomical radio sources as they are occulted by a coronal mass ejection traveling in the solar wind. The measurements will allow a determination of the density and velocity of the CME, as well as its magnetic field strength and orientation. In addition, the array can be used to measure variations in the Earth's ionosphere on very small scales within the field-of-view. This paper summarizes the array design and capabilities, outlines the planned demonstrator system at Mileura, and illustrates the expected heliospheric observations using simulations of recent space weather events.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004AGUFMSH31B..03S
- Keywords:
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- 9805 Instruments useful in three or more fields;
- 7513 Coronal mass ejections;
- 7534 Radio emissions;
- 7594 Instruments and techniques