Discovery of Microsecond Duration Radio Flashes with Small Radio Telescopes

Abstract We present the discovery of floods of short duration transient radio events detected simultaneously by at least 3 of 7 small horn radio telescopes, when continuously observing the sky at 1421.5 ± 3.0 MHz. The goal of these observations is to detect transient radio flashes, which are expected when high-energy cosmic rays hit Earth’s atmosphere. We find a variety of radio flash patterns, including expected isolated radio flashes, a grouping of a few events, primarily seen near Sun transit, and floods of events, where thousands of flashes are seen over periods of hours. The origin of these flood events have not yet been determined, but are likely due to a variety of causes, including solar events, bursts of cosmic rays, human interference, weather, and (perhaps) communication from extraterrestrial sources. High school students and teachers are encouraged to participate in the building of electronics and telescopes for radio observations.