On the concept of spectral radiometry on RATAN-600

Abstract

We present the results of new observations of radio emission from the solar corona in the range 1–3 GHz using RATAN- 600. The difficulties of observations in this range are caused by a large amount of industrial interference (mobile communications, satellite navigation, microwave ovens, aircraft radars, etc.). Problems related to the conversion of magnetic energy into the energy of flares, heating of the corona, the role of narrow-band phenomena, and quasiperiodic pulsations in the solar corona still remain relevant. A change in the concept of the receiving spectral equipment for the RATAN-600 radio telescope has become urgent. SAO RAS is currently working on the creation of a series of nextgeneration spectral complexes to cover the entire operating range of RATAN-600. In this paper, we present the results of the first series of observations made with the panoramic spectral radiometric complex in the range of 1–3 GHz for studying low-contrast coronal structures. It has become feasible to implement observation modes for various objects: from powerful flaring radio sources to faint structures down to the radio granulation level. High-speed instruments for radio signal reception and information processing have been developed and introduced in order to separate useful signals from interference in real-time mode. These parameters, combined with a large effective area and wide frequency coverage of RATAN-600, allowed for observations of weak coronal structures in the frequency range of 1–3 GHz. We discuss the results of the first series of observations of weak coronal structures and their interpretation in terms of their impact on thermal processes in the corona.