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”