On the Feasibility of Imaging Coronal Mass Ejections at Radio Wavelengths

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) can have a profound impact on the interplanetary medium and the near-earth environment. We discuss the feasibility of detecting coronal mass ejections at radio wavelengths with a groundbased instrument. In particular, we explore the possibility that a radio telescope employing Fourier synthesis imaging techniques can detect thermal bremsstrahlung emission from CMEs. Using a simulated data base from such a telescope, we explore three detection schemes: direct detection, an approximate di erential detection scheme, and an \exact" di erential detection scheme. We conclude that thermal bremsstrahlung emission from CMEs can be detected by such a telescope provided di erential techniques are employed. While the approximate di erential detection scheme may be su cient for CMEs viewed near the solar limb, detection of CMEs against the solar disk may require the more sensitive exact di erential scheme. The detection and imaging of nonthermal radio emissions from CMEs is also discussed.