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SOLIS A Long, Careful Look at the Sun

SOLIS A Long, Careful Look at the Sun. Jack Harvey National Solar Observatory. Overview. Why What Drivers/design Some data samples Opportunites for German-US collaboration Summary. Why Study the Sun?. Our only vital astronomical object It’s the astrophysics of here and now

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SOLIS A Long, Careful Look at the Sun

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  1. SOLISA Long, Careful Look at the Sun Jack Harvey National Solar Observatory DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  2. Overview • Why • What • Drivers/design • Some data samples • Opportunites for German-US collaboration • Summary DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  3. Why Study the Sun? • Our only vital astronomical object • It’s the astrophysics of here and now • As challenging as any area of astrophysics • Practical applications (space weather, climate) • Often first use of new photonics • AAAS Journal Science posed 125 Big Science questions for its 125th anniversary issue of July 1, 2005; one was “What drives the solar magnetic cycle?” DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  4. German and US Solar Programs • Long histories of observation and theory • Long history of beneficial collaborations • Both countries now building modern 1.5 m facilities for short-term optical observations • Both interested in advanced photonics • Germany ceased long-term optical (synoptic) programs • US invested in SOLIS synoptic program DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  5. What is SOLIS? • Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun • State-of-the-art instruments designed to measure the Sun regularly for 25 years • Replaces and modernizes successful NSO program started in 1973 • SOLIS started regular observations 2003 • Science goals aimed at solar activity • Decadal Survey urges a 3-station network DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  6. Virtues of SOLIS VSM • Regular full-disk vector magnetograms • Full Stokes spectral profile information • Chromospheric magnetograms • High efficiency optical path (6×107 ph/pix/s) • Low polarization telescope • Long projected life (~2028) • Open data archive • Complements related space projects (e.g.,SOHO, TRACE, Hinode, STEREO, Sunrise, SDO, Solar Orbiter, etc.) DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  7. Why Long-Term? • Magnetic solar cycle is 22 years • Many solar processes are slow • Synoptic data taken since 1973 still widely used for today’s research and to address originally unforeseen questions • Maximize the scientific payoff for the initial investment DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  8. 48 Solar Rotations DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  9. Why Frequent? • Many basic solar processes occur rapidly • Increased chance of capturing rare events • Minimize observational gaps • Smooth out noisy local solar processes • Provide frequently updated boundary conditions for data assimilation modeling • Prompt forecasting of space weather DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  10. SOLIS on Kitt Peak DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  11. Vector SpectroMagnetograph German tip-tilt mount German beamsplitters • Long-slit spectropolarimeter • 80-cm window, 50 cm aperture • Helium filled • Single crystal Si secondary • Ferroelectric LC modulators • High reflectivity coatings • All light used DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  12. SOLIS VSM 104 Dynamic Range2004 January 6 DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  13. Field strength Azimuth in sky plane Inclination to line of sight SOLIS VSM Vector Magnetogram DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  14. DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  15. SOLIS VSM – Hinode XRT DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  16. SOLIS Collaboration Opportunities • Short-term campaigns • In progress (e.g. Solanki; Wilhelm) • Instrumental improvements • Long-term associations • Model – Data comparisons • Gregor • ESA Solar Orbiter • Partners in building a global SOLIS network DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

  17. Summary • Long-term study of Sun is vital • Advanced photonics as used in SOLIS enable that research • SOLIS provides unique data waiting to be exploited • SOLIS welcomes collaborations! http://solis.nso.edu DFG-NSF Astrophysics Research Conference

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