Observations and Objectives

The main scientific topics of the solar KSP are:

  • studying plasma processes related to energetic electrons in the solar corona
  • studying the initiation of CMEs
  • formation and development of shocks in the corona
  • generation of energetic particles in the Sun’s atmosphere
  • studying the heliosphere and the solar wind
  • studying the scintillation of compact sources to infer the density of the solar corona and heliosphere
  • using Polarised sources to infer the magnetic field of transients
  • studying the use of LOFAR for space weather forecast

These topics results in the following observation modes:

  • Radio Spectroscopy (spectrometer mode)

The intensity and polarisation of the solar radio radiation over time in all available frequency channels is recorded.

  • Radio imaging (tied array and interferometric mode)

Interferometric and tied array beam observations of the Sun with a cadence of 0.25s in 60 or more subbands.

  • Beam observations of scintillating compact sources (beam mode)
  • Beam observations of polarised sources (Faraday Rotation – Full stokes mode)

For more details on the current KSP observing campaign visit “Current Observing Campaign”