Comparison of interplanetary type II radio burst observations by ISEE-3, Ulysses, and wind with applications to space weather prediction

Interplanetary (IF) type II radio bursts are produced by IP shocks driven by solar ejecta, presumably involving shock acceleration of electrons that leads to radio emission. These radio bursts, which can be detected remotely by a sensitive spacecraft radio receiver, provide a method of tracking the leading edge of solar ejecta moving outward from the Sun. Consequently, observations of these bursts sometimes provide advance warning of 1 or more days prior to the onset of geomagnetic activity induced by the solar ejecta. In this paper, we provide a robust lower limit on the fraction of intense geomagnetic storms (Dst < -100 nT) that are preceded by IP type II bursts, specifically the set of 48 events catalogued by Cane (1985). We show that 41 percent of the geomagnetic storms occurring during the interval September 1978 to February 1983 were preceded by type II events in this catalog, and we discuss reasons why the fraction is not larger. We also review differences in observing capabilities of ISEE-3, Ulysses, and Wind, to explain why each of these similar spacecraft radio investigations provides a different perspective of IP type II emissions.