71 GHz (4.2 mm) solar radio bursts in the period July 1967 to December 1969

Abstract

The results of 2 1/2 years (July 1967 – December 1969) monitoring of solar radio bursts at 71 GHz (λ = 4.2 mm) at the Radio and Space Research Station, Slough are presented. During this period only seven events were positively identified as 71 GHz bursts. One of these events (6 July, 1968) is among the largest solar bursts ever recorded anywhere in the microwave-millimetre wave band (47000 × 10⁻²²Wm⁻²Hz⁻¹), and the associated magnetic field may possibly have exceeded 7200 G. Another event (27 March, 1969) has demonstrated that bursts at 71 GHz can be both intense (4700 × 10⁻²²Wm⁻²Hz⁻¹) and complex. On other occasions, the absence of any detectable event at 71 GHz helps to define the high frequency spectrum of the burst, this being an important factor in determining the initial energy distribution of the electrons ejected by the associated flare. On one such occasion (21 March, 1969) the derived energy distribution index γ is ⩾ 8, in contrast with the more usual values of 2–4.