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Solar radio signatures suggestive of proton beams

Nature volume 320, pages 508–509 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Electron beams propagating in the solar corona excite the ambient plasma to emit radio waves at the local plasma frequency and/or its harmonic. This general interpretation of type III radio bursts is well confirmed by in situ measurements. The rate at which peak flux drifts in frequency and time is a measure of the velocity of the exciter. Here we report a class of radio bursts with a significantly lower drift than normal; consequently, we show that they defy the usual interpretation. Possible exciters are slowly moving beams of protons.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Astronomy, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

    A. O. Benz & G. M. Simnett

  2. Department of Space Research, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK

    G. M. Simnett

Authors
  1. A. O. Benz
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  2. G. M. Simnett
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Benz, A., Simnett, G. Solar radio signatures suggestive of proton beams. Nature 320, 508–509 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/320508a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/320508a0

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