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C. Kathiravan

Publications and source records attributed to C. Kathiravan.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Constraining the onset height of coronal mass ejection driven shocks using near-Sun observations in visible and radio wavelengths

One of the debated issues about the onset of the type II radio bursts near the Sun is the heliocentric distance ($r$) at which the associated magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shocks are formed, and the association of the latter with the coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The debate is primarily due to the absence of routine CME observations in whitelight at $r\,{<}\,1.5R_{\odot}$. We present here an example for how joint observations with the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) onboard the recently launched ADITYA-L1 (the first dedicated Indian space solar mission, \citealp{Parate2025}), and Gauribidanur radio facilities could be useful to address the issue.

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arXiv2025

Relative Strengths of Fundamental and Harmonic Emissions of Solar Radio Type II Bursts

Solar radio type II bursts are slow-drifting bursts that exhibit various distinct features such as Fundamental (F) and Harmonic (H) emissions, band-splitting, and discrete fine structures in the dynamic spectra. Observationally, it has been found that in some cases the F emission is stronger than the H emission, and vice versa. The reason for such behavior has not been thoroughly investigated. To investigate this, we studied 58 meter wave (20-500 MHz) type II solar radio bursts showing both F and H emissions, observed during the period from 13 June 2010 to 25 December 2024, using data obtained with the Compound Astronomical Low frequency Low cost Instrument for Spectroscopy and Transportable Observatory (CALLISTO) spectrometers at different locations and Gauribidanur LOw-frequency Solar Spectrograph (GLOSS). We examined the intensity ratios of the H ($I_H$) and F ($I_F$) emissions and analyzed their variation with heliographic longitude. We found that 14 out of 19 bursts originating from heliographic longitudes beyond $\pm75^\circ$ exhibited an $I_H/I_F$ ratio greater than unity. In contrast, 32 out of 39 bursts originating from longitudes within $\pm75^\circ$ showed a intensity ratio less than unity. From these results, we conclude that the relative strength of the F and H emissions can be influenced by refraction due to density gradient in the solar corona, directivity and viewing angle of the bursts.

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arXiv2025

Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) onboard ADITYA-L1

Aditya-L1, India's first dedicated mission to study the Sun and its atmosphere from the Sun-Earth Lagrangian L1 location was successfully launched on 2023 September 2. It carries seven payloads. The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is a major payload on Aditya-L1. VELC is designed to carry out imaging and spectroscopic observations (the latter in three emission lines of the corona), simultaneously. Images of the solar corona in the continuum at 5000 A, with a field of view (FoV) from 1.05 Ro to 3 Ro can be obtained at variable intervals depending on the data volume that can be downloaded. Spectroscopic observations of the solar corona in three emission lines, namely 5303 A Fexiv, 7892 A Fexi, and 10747 A Fexiii are possible simultaneously, with different exposure times and cadence. Four slits, each of width 50 um, separated by 3.75 mm help to simultaneously obtain spectra at four positions in the solar corona at all the aforementioned lines. A Linear Scan Mechanism (LSM) makes it possible to scan the solar corona up to +/-1.5 Ro. The instrument has the facility to carry out spectropolarimetric observations at 10747 A also in the FoV range 1.05 - 1.5 Ro. Various components of the instrument were tested interferometrically on the optical bench before installation. The individual components were aligned and performance of the payload was checked in the laboratory using a laser source and tungsten lamp. Wavelength calibration of the instrument was verified using Sun as a light source. All the detectors were calibrated for different parameters such as dark current and its variation with exposure time. Here, we discuss the various features of the VELC, alignment, calibration, performance, possible observations, initial data analysis and results of initial tests conducted in-orbit.

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arXiv2024

1-bit raw voltage recording system for dedicated observations of transients at low radio frequencies

Recently we had reported commissioning of a prototype for pulsar observations at low radio frequencies (<100 MHz) using log-periodic dipole antennas (LPDAs) in the Gauribidanur Radio Observatory near Bangalore in India. The aforementioned system (GAuribidanur Pulsar System, GAPS) is currently being augmented to directly digitize the radio frequency signals from the individual antennas in the array. Our initial results using 1-bit raw voltage recording system indicates that such a back-end receiver offers distinct advantages like, (i) simultaneous observations of any set of desired directions in the sky with multiple offline beams and smaller data rate/volume, (ii) archival of the observed data with minimal resources for re-analysis in the future, either in the same or different set of directions in the sky.

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arXiv2023

Data processing of Visible Emission Line Coronagraph Onboard ADITYA L1

ADITYA-L1 is India's first dedicated mission to observe the sun and its atmosphere from a halo orbit around L1 point. Visible emission line coronagraph (VELC) is the prime payload on board at Aditya-L1 to observe the sun's corona. VELC is designed as an internally occulted reflective coronagraph to meet the observational requirements of wide wavelength band and close to the solar limb (1.05 Ro). Images of the solar corona in continuum and spectra in three emission lines 5303{\AA} [Fe xiv], 7892{\AA} [Fe xi] and 10747 [Fe xiii] obtained with high cadence to be analyzed using software algorithms automatically. A reasonable part of observations will be made in synoptic mode, those, need to be analyzed and results made available for public use. The procedure involves the calibration of instrument and detectors, converting the images into fits format, correcting the images and spectra for the instrumental effects, align the images etc. Then, develop image processing algorithms to detect the occurrence of energetic events using continuum images. Also derive physical parameters, such as temperature and velocity structure of solar corona using emission line observations. Here, we describe the calibration of detectors and the development of software algorithms to detect the occurrence of CMEs and analyze the spectroscopic data.

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arXiv2023

Solar coronal density turbulence and magnetic field strength at the source regions of two successive metric type II radio bursts

We report spectral and polarimeter observations of two weak, low frequency (${\approx}$85-60\,MHz) solar coronal type II radio bursts that occurred on 2020 May 29 within a time interval ${\approx}$2\,min. The bursts had fine structures, and were due to harmonic plasma emission. Our analysis indicates that the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shocks responsible for the 1st and 2nd type II bursts were generated by the leading edge (LE) of an extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) flux rope/coronal mass ejection (CME) and interaction of its flank with a neighbouring coronal structure, respectively. The CME deflected from the radial direction by ${\approx}25^{\arcdeg}$ during propagation in the near-Sun corona. The estimated power spectral density (PSD) and magnetic field strength ($B$) near the location of the 1st burst at heliocentric distance $r{\approx}1.35R_{\odot}$ are $\rm {\approx}2{\times}10^{-3}\,W^{2}m$ and ${\approx}$1.8\,G, respectively. The corresponding values for the 2nd burst at the same $r$ are $\rm {\approx}10^{-3}\,W^{2}m$ and ${\approx}$0.9\,G. The significant spatial scales of the coronal turbulence at the location of the two type II bursts are ${\approx}$62\,-\,1\,Mm. Our conclusions from the present work are that the turbulence and magnetic field strength in the coronal region near the CME LE are higher compared to the corresponding values close to its flank. The derived estimates of the two parameters correspond to the same $r$ for both the CME LE and its flank, with a delay of ${\approx}$2\,min for the latter.

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arXiv2021

Radio, X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet observations of weak energy releases in the `quiet' Sun

We analyzed ground-based low frequency ($<$100\,MHz) radio spectral and imaging data of the solar corona obtained with the facilities in the Gauribidanur observatory during the same time as the very weak soft X-ray flares (sub A-class, flux $\rm {<}10^{-7}\,Wm^{-2}$ in the 1\,-\,8\,$\rm Å$ wavelength range) from the `quiet' Sun observed with the X-ray Solar Monitor (XSM) onboard Chandrayaan-2 during the recent solar minimum. Non-thermal type I radio burst activity were noticed in close temporal association with the X-ray events. The estimated brightness temperature ($T_{b}$) of the bursts at a typical frequency like 80\,MHz is ${\approx}3{\times}10^{5}$\,K. Extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) observations at 94Å with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) revealed a brightening close to the same location and time as the type I radio bursts. As far as we know reports of simultaneous observations of X-ray and/or EUV counterpart to weak transient radio emission at low frequencies from the `quiet' Sun in particular are rare. Considering this and the fact that low frequency radio observations are sensitive to weak energy releases in the solar atmosphere, the results indicate that coordinated observations of similar events would be useful to understand transient activities in the `quiet' Sun.

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arXiv2021

Radio Interferometric Observations of the Sun Using Commercial Dish TV Antennas

The radio astronomy group in the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has been carrying out routine observations of radio emission from the solar corona at low frequencies (${\approx}$40-440MHz) at the Gauribidanur observatory, about 100km north of Bangalore. Since IIA has been performing regular observations of the solar photosphere and chromosphere using different optical telescopes in its Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) also, the possibilities of obtaining two-dimensional radio images of the solar chromosphere using low-cost instrumentation to supplement the optical observations are being explored. As a part of the exercise, recently the group had developed prototype instrumentation for interferometric observations of radio emission from the solar chromosphere at high frequencies (${\approx}$11.2GHz) using two commercial dish TV antennas. The hardware set-up and initial observations are presented.

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arXiv2021

New results on the direct observations of thermal radio emission from a solar coronal mass ejection

We report observations of thermal emission from the frontal structure of a coronal mass ejection (CME) using data obtained with the Gauribidanur RAdioheliograPH (GRAPH) simultaneously at 80 MHz and 53 MHz on 2016 May 1. The CME was due to activity on the far-side of the Sun, but near its limb. No non-thermal radio burst activity were noticed. This provided an opportunity to observe the faint thermal radio emission from the CME, and hence directly estimate the electron density, mass, and magnetic field strength of the plasma entrained in the CME. Considering that CMEs are mostly observed only in whitelight and reports on their plasma characteristics are also limited, the rare direct radio observations of thermal emission from a CME and independent diagnosis of its plasma parameters are important measurements in the field of CME physics.

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arXiv2021

Solar Radio Spectro-polarimetry (50-500 MHz) : Design and Development of Cross-Polarized Log-Periodic Dipole antenna and configuration of receiver system

A radio spectro-polarimeter was developed at the Gauribidanur radio observatory to study the characteristics of the polarized radio waves that are emitted by the impetuous solar corona in the 50 - 500 MHz frequency range. The instrument has three major components : a Cross-polarized Log-Periodic Dipole Antenna (CLPDA), an analog receiver, and a digital receiver (spectrum analyzer). This article elaborates the design and developmental aspects of the CLPDA, its characteristics and briefs about the configurations of the analog and digital receivers, setting up of the spectro-polarimeter, stage-wise tests performed to characterize it, etc. To demonstrate the instrumental capability, the estimation of the solar coronal magnetic field strength (B {\it Vs} heliocentric height), using the spectral data obtained with it, is exemplified. Throughout the above band, the CLPDA has a gain, return loss and polarization cross-talk of $\approx$ 6.6 dBi, $\lesssim$ -10 dB, and $\lesssim$ -27 dB, respectively. The design constraints, the procedure to tune its impedance and to minimize its dimension, etc. are elaborated. The analog receiver has a noise figure of $\approx 3$ dB and a receiver-noise-temperature ($T_{rcvr}$) of about 290 K. The receiver-flux-density ($S_{rcvr}$) is $\approx 5.3 \times 10^3 $, and $\approx 5.3 \times 10^5$ Jy at 50 and 500 MHz, respectively. The observed spectral data shows a Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Dynamic range of about 30 dB and 40 dB, respectively, at 50 MHz. The average polarization isolation / cross-talk of the CLPD varies from -30 dB to -24 dB over an azimuthal angle of $\pm 45^\circ$ with respect to the reference position angle ($0^\circ$). The average degree of circular polarization (DCP) is $\approx 100\%$ at the reference position and found to decrease gradually and reaches $\approx 80\%$ at an azimuthal angle of $\pm 45^\circ$.

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arXiv2020

Low frequency radio observations of the `quiet' corona during the descending phase of sunspot cycle 24

We carried out a statistical study of the `quiet' solar corona during the descending phase of the sunspot cycle 24 (i.e. 2015 January - 2019 May) using data obtained with the Gauribidanur RAdioheliograPH (GRAPH) at 53 MHz and 80 MHz simultaneously. Our results show that the equatorial (east-west) diameters of the solar corona at the above two frequencies shrunk steadily. The decrease was found to be due to a gradual reduction in the coronal electron density ($N_{e}$). Independent estimates of $N_{e}$ in the equatorial region of the `background' corona using white-light coronagraph observations indicate a decline consistent with our findings.

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arXiv2019

Direct Estimates of the Solar Coronal Magnetic Field Using Contemporaneous Extreme-ultraviolet, Radio, and White-light Observations

We report a solar coronal split-band type II radio burst that was observed on 2016 March 16 with the Gauribidanur Radio Spectro-Polarimeter (GRASP) in the frequency range $\approx$\,90\,-\,50 MHz, and the Gauribidanur RadioheliograPH (GRAPH) at two discrete frequencies, viz. 80 MHz and 53.3 MHz. Observations around the same epoch in extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and white-light show that the above burst was associated with a flux rope structure and a coronal mass ejection (CME), respectively. The combined height-time plot generated using EUV, radio, and whitelight data suggest that the different observed features (i.e. the flux rope, type II burst and the CME) are all closely associated. We constructed an empirical model for the coronal electron density distribution ($N_{e}(r)$, where $r$ is the heliocentric distance) from the above set of observations themselves and used it to estimate the coronal magnetic field strength ($B$) over the range of $r$ values in which the respective events were observed. The $B$ values are consistent with each other. They vary as $B(r)\,=\,2.61 \times r^{-2.21}$ \textrm{G} in the range $r \approx$\,1.1\,-\,2.2$\rm R_{\odot}$. As far as we know, similar `direct' estimates of $B$ in the near-Sun corona without assuming a model for $N_{e}(r)$, and by combining co-temporal set of observations in two different regions (radio and whitelight) of the electromagnetic spectrum, have rarely been reported. Further, the present work is a novel attempt where the characteristics of a propagating EUV flux rope structure, considered to be the signature of a CME close the Sun, have been used to estimate $B(r)$ in the corresponding distance range.

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arXiv2017

Strength of the Solar Coronal Magnetic field - A Comparison of Independent Estimates Using Contemporaneous Radio and White-light Observations

We estimated the coronal magnetic field strength ($B$) during the 23 July 2016 coronal mass ejection (CME) event using i) the flux rope structure of the CME in the whitelight coronagraph images and ii) the band splitting in the associated type {\sc II} burst. No models were assumed for the coronal electron density ($N(r)$) used in the estimation.The results obtained using the above two independent methods correspond to different heliocentric distances ($r$) in the range $\approx$\,2.5\,--\,4.5$\rm R_{\odot}$, but they show excellent consistency and could be fitted with a single power-law distribution of the type $B(r)=5.7r^{-2.6}$ \textrm{G}, which is applicable in the aforementioned distance range. The power law index i.e. $-2.6$) is in good agreement with the results obtained in previous studies by different methods.

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arXiv2016

An estimate of the magnetic field strength associated with a solar coronal mass ejection from low frequency radio observations

We report ground based, low frequency heliograph (80 MHz), spectral (85-35 MHz) and polarimeter (80 and 40 MHz) observations of drifting, non-thermal radio continuum associated with the `halo' coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred in the solar atmosphere on 2013 March 15. The magnetic field strengths ($B$) near the radio source were estimated to be $B \approx 2.2 \pm 0.4$ G at 80 MHz and $B \approx 1.4 \pm 0.2$ G at 40 MHz. The corresponding radial distances ($r$) are $r \approx 1.9~R_{\odot}$ (80 MHz) and $r \approx 2.2~R_{\odot}$ (40 MHz).

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arXiv2016

Design and performance of a low frequency cross-polarized log-periodic dipole antenna

We report the design and performance of a cross-polarized log-periodic dipole (CLPD) antenna for observations of polarized radio emission from the solar corona at low frequencies. The measured isolation between the two mutually orthogonal log periodic dipole antennas was as low as $\approx$ -43 dBm in the 65-95 MHz range. We carried out observations of the solar corona at 80 MHz with the above CLPD and successfully recorded circularly polarized emission.

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