K. Pesini (Katerina)

In my PhD project, “Detection and Study of Faint Type III Emissions,” I aim to create the first extensive catalog of Type III solar radio bursts observed from space. Type III bursts are among the most common radio emissions from the Sun, generated by energetic electron beams propagating through the solar corona and interplanetary space. These bursts provide key insights into solar activity, electron acceleration, and plasma interactions in the heliosphere.

Through the Solar Radio Burst Tracker project on Zooniverse.org, volunteers analyze spectrograms from the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument aboard ESA’s Solar Orbiter. Each spectrum is classified by multiple participants to ensure accuracy, and I apply post-processing techniques to filter noise and assess uncertainties in the identifications. By combining human input with automated detection methods, this project enhances the study of solar radio emissions.

The catalog generated will serve as a valuable resource for investigating the connection between Type III bursts and solar flares, as well as their occurrence throughout the solar cycle. Additionally, the project is expected to expand by incorporating data from the STEREO spacecraft, allowing for long-term studies of solar radio emissions. This work will not only contribute to solar physics research but also aid in improving automated algorithms for future Type III burst detection.

The project is supported by Radboud University and LIRA, Paris Observatory.