Simulating Ionospheric Distortions in Mock SKA-Low Solar Radio Observations

Abstract

The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) will provide unprecedented angular resolution for low-frequency solar radio imaging, enabling access to fine-scale coronal structures. However, the improved spatial resolution of SKA-Low also increases the sensitivity of solar images to ionospheric propagation effects. We investigate the impact of ionospheric fluctuations on simulated SKA-Low solar observations at 50, 100, 150, and 200 MHz using the \textsc{Karabo} simulator and turbulent, moving ionospheric phase screens. We quantify the resulting image distortions using spatial power spectral density (PSD) analysis and compare the SKA response with corresponding MWA simulations. The results show that ionospheric distortions are strongly scale- and frequency-dependent, with the maximum fractional PSD distortion decreasing with observing frequencies. SKA resolves ionospheric fluctuations over spatial scales that are largely smoothed by the MWA instrumental response, with significant distortions occurring on scales comparable to solar active-region structures. These results demonstrate that ionospheric propagation effects should be considered when interpreting high-resolution SKA-low solar radio images, particularly at the lower end of the frequency band.