Center for Applied Solar Physics
Abstract
New instruments have been installed at observatories in New Mexico and California for measuring solar magnetic fields and surface velocities. The magnetic fields provide the energy for all eruptive and accelerative processes on the Sun, and the surface velocities reveal the dynamics of the solar interior. Early detection of emerging magnetic fields may given several hours' warning of impending solar flares and interplanetary shocks. The new instruments incorporate several technical innovations, including lithium niobate filter for high spectral resolution. With this filter, circular and linear polarization and Doppler shifts are measured in solar spectral lines to yield estimates of the magnetic field vector in active sunspot regions. A program of daily measurements is planned for study of the current peak in the 11-year solar cycle. Keywords: Sunspots, Solar magnetic fields, Surface velocities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA228773
Entities
People
- David M. Rust
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University