Description
The study of solar turbulence and density fluctuations is essential for understanding the physical processes governing the heliosphere, particularly the behavior of the solar wind and its role in space weather. These turbulent structures can significantly influence the observed properties—such as angular size and position—of compact extra-solar radio sources. In this work, we utilize the dynamic spectroscopic imaging capabilities of the MeerKAT array in the L band to observe multiple compact radio sources located as close as 2 degrees from the solar disk. With 64 antennas, MeerKAT offers high signal-to-noise imaging performance, enabling the detection and analysis of faint radio sources despite the presence of strong solar emission. By examining source characteristics across a range of solar elongations and frequencies, we find that the observed angular broadening is consistent with theoretical predictions of scattering by solar wind turbulence. Furthermore, measured elongation directions and axial ratios provide insights into the magnetic properties and the anisotropic nature of the turbulence. This study demonstrates the potential of interferometric radio observations in probing heliospheric turbulence and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of its impact on radio wave propagation.
