In a companion paper, we have presented so-called Spatio-Spectral Maximum Entropy Method (SSMEM) particularly designed for Fourier-Transform imaging over a wide spectral range. The SSMEM allows simultaneous acquisition of both spectral and spatial information and we consider it most suitable for imaging spectroscopy of solar microwave emission. In this paper, we run the SSMEM for a realistic model of solar microwave radiation and a model array resembling the Owens Valley Solar Array in order to identify and resolve possible issues in the application of the SSMEM to solar microwave imaging spectroscopy. We mainly concern ourselves with issues as to how the frequency dependent noise in the data and frequency-dependent variations of source size and background flux will affect the result of imaging spectroscopy under the SSMEM. We also test the capability of the SSMEM against other conventional techniques, CLEAN and MEM.

The Solar Radio Burst Locator (SRBL) is a spectrometer that can observe solar microwave bursts over a wide band (0.1-18 GHz) as well as detect the burst locations without interferometry or mechanical scanning. Its prototype has been operated at Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) since 1998. In this study, we have evaluated the capability of the SRBL system in flux and radio burst location measurements. For this, we consider 130 microwave bursts from 2000 to 2002. The SRBL radio fluxes of 53 events were compared with the fluxes from USAF/RSTN and the burst locations of 25 events were compared with the optical flare locations. From this study, we found: (1) there is a relatively good correlation (r = 0.9) between SRBL flux and RSTN flux; (2) the mean location error is about 8.4 arcmin and the location error (4.7 arcmin) of single source events is much smaller than that (14.9 arcmin) of multiple source events; (3) the minimum location error usually occurred just after the starting time of burst, mostly within 10 seconds; (4) there is a possible anti-correlation (r = -0.4) between the pointing error of SRBL antenna and the location error. The anti-correlation becomes more evident (r=-0.9) for 6 strong single source events associated with X-class flares. Our results show that the flux measurement of SRBL is consistent with that of RSTN, and the mean location error of SRBL is estimated to be about 5 arcmin for single source events.

Solar radio astronomy is about to undergo a revolution with the advent of a new radio synthesis array, the Frequency Agile Solar Radiotelescope (FASR). The array will consist of more than 100 antennas (5000 baselines), and will be designed to meet the special challenges of solar imaging. It will produce high-quality images at hundreds of frequencies in the range 20 MHz-24 GHz. We briefly describe the plans for the instrument, and then concentrate on the range of science that is expected to be addressed, using current state-of-the-art solar radio observations and modeling to illustrate FASR performance. We end with an assessment of the current status of the instrument, and plans for future.