An MHD simulation of the possible modulations of stellar CMEs radio observations by an exoplanetary magnetosphere

Abstract

Type II radio bursts are the indicator of adverse space weather in a stellar system. These radio bursts are the consequence of shock wave acceleration due to the coronal mass ejection (CME). In this study, we conduct a series of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of CME-driven star–planet systems to investigate how close-in exoplanets modulate radio burst characteristics. We use a model for the stellar wind with a close-in exoplanet, and a CME model based on the eruption of a flux rope. We are able to generate synthetic radio burst images from our MHD simulations. We find that radio burst like phenomena is most likely to be observed for moderately active solar like stars and close-in exoplanetary systems have significant influence on the nature of radio burst spectrum. We find that when the exoplanet’s magnetic field is relatively weak, its magnetosphere compresses the CME plasma, increasing local density and shifting the radio emission to higher frequencies. Conversely, a strong planetary magnetic field results in a large magnetosphere that prevents effective CME-shock development, producing weaker radio emission concentrated at lower frequencies, particularly at the flanks of the CME. For highly active solar-like stars, strong overlying stellar magnetic fields suppress the CME shock, greatly diminishing radio burst visibility. For HD 189733 (moderate stellar field), only intensity difference is visible when the CME arrives the planet. We also do not find significant modulation in the radio emission by a close-in exoplanet system when the stellar magnetic field is complex. In summary, our findings highlight that the nature of the radio burst spectrum is strongly dependent on both the topology of the stellar magnetic field and the magnetic strength of close-in exoplanets.