Ionospheric detection of energetic astrophysical phenomena

• Grant number: 13/09888-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Jean Pierre Raulin
• Grantee: Vinicius Tadin Alvarenga
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia (EE). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main goal of this project is to perform a study on the ionospheric detectability of high energy astrophysical phenomena like Gamma-Ray Bursts and Soft Gamma-ray Repeaters. Our aim is to find out the lower detection threshold for such events. For this we will develop a visualization tool to assess the search for good candidates. This program will be mainly based on the following parameters from the astrophysical burst: (I) sub-flare point; (II) VLF propagation path illuminated distance; (III) intensity; (IV) duration. Once the lower detection threshold has been found, the relation between the astrophysical burst intensity and the amplitude of the ionospheric response will be investigated. The ionospheric detection of high-energy astrophysical phenomena is a relevant complementary data information of their space-borne detection.