High sensitivity polarimetry

Over the last decade spectro‐polarimetry evolved to ever higher sensitivity levels. New techniques and instruments allow us to address weak polarization signals, which are caused by scattering in the solar atmosphere. In this paper a review on the development of spectro‐polarimetric investigations of scattering physics and its coupling to the solar magnetic field will be given. Starting from a technical point of view it will be demonstrated how our understanding of scattering phenomena and their role in solar physics in general has reached its current state. An outlook on future spectro‐polarimetry with new large solar telescopes concludes this review.     

Models of a mean granular cell

From inversion of a time series of slit spectra, observed in a quiet region of the solar photosphere, averaged models of a granular cell have been obtained showing the stratification of physical quantities versus optical depth and geometrical height. Furthermore a semi‐empiric dynamic model of a mean granular cell has been derived and the results are presented.     

Instrument and data analysis challenges for imaging spectropolarimetry

The next generation of solar telescopes will enable us to resolve the fundamental scales of the solar atmosphere, i.e., the pressure scale height and the photon mean free path. High‐resolution observations of small‐scale structures with sizes down to 50 km require complex post‐focus instruments, which employ adaptive optics (AO) and benefit from advanced image restoration techniques. The GREGOR Fabry‐Pérot Interferometer (GFPI) will serve as an example of such an instrument to illustrate the challenges that are to be expected in instrumentation and data analysis with the next generation of solar telescopes (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Interpreting Helioseismic Structure Inversion Results of Solar Active Regions

Helioseismic techniques such as ring-diagram analysis have often been used to determine the subsurface structural differences between solar active and quiet regions. Results obtained by inverting the frequency differences between the regions are usually interpreted as the sound-speed differences between them. These in turn are used as a measure of temperature and magnetic-field strength differences between the two regions. In this paper we first show that the “sound-speed” difference obtained from inversions is actually a combination of sound-speed difference and a magnetic component. Hence, the inversion result is not directly related to the thermal structure. Next, using solar models that include magnetic fields, we develop a formulation to use the inversion results to infer the differences in the magnetic and thermal structures between active and quiet regions. We then apply our technique to existing structure inversion results for different pairs of active and quiet regions. We find that the effect of magnetic fields is strongest in a shallow region above 0.985R _⊙ and that the strengths of magnetic-field effects at the surface and in the deeper (r<0.98R _⊙) layers are inversely related (i.e., the stronger the surface magnetic field the smaller the magnetic effects in the deeper layers, and vice versa). We also find that the magnetic effects in the deeper layers are the strongest in the quiet regions, consistent with the fact that these are basically regions with weakest magnetic fields at the surface. Because the quiet regions were selected to precede or follow their companion active regions, the results could have implications about the evolution of magnetic fields under active regions.     

The road to Earth twins – Karl Schwarzschild Award Lecture 2010

A rich population of low‐mass planets orbiting solar‐type stars on tight orbits has been detected by Doppler spectroscopy. These planets have masses in the domain of super‐Earths and Neptune‐type objects, and periods less than 100 days. In numerous cases these planets are part of very compact multiplanetary systems. Up to seven planets have been discovered orbiting one single star. These low‐mass planets have been detected by the HARPS spectrograph around 30 % of solar‐type stars. This very high occurrence rate has been recently confirmed by the results of the Kepler planetary transit space mission. The large number of planets of this kind allows us to attempt a first characterization of their statistical properties, which in turn represent constraints to understand the formation process of these systems. The achieved progress in the sensitivity and stability of spectrographs have already led to the discovery of planets with masses as small as 1.5 M_⊕ (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Algebraic analysis of the phase‐calibration problem in the self‐calibration procedures

This paper presents an analysis of the phase‐calibration problem encountered in astronomy when mapping incoherent sources with aperture‐synthesis devices. More precisely, this analysis concerns the phase‐calibration operation involved in the self‐calibration procedures of phase‐closure imaging. The paper revisits and completes a previous analysis presented by Lannes in the Journal of the Optical Society of America A in 2005. It also benefits from some recent developments made for solving similar problems encountered in global navigation satellite systems. In radio‐astronomy, the related optimization problems have been stated and solved hitherto at the phasor level. We present here an analysis conducted at the phase level, from which we derive a method for diagnosing and solving the difficulties of the phasor approach. In the most general case, the techniques tobe implemented appeal to the algebraic graph theory and the algebraic number theory. The minima of the objective functionals to be minimized are identified by raising phase‐closure integer ambiguities. We also show that in some configurations, to benefit from all the available information, closure phases of order greater than three are to be introduced. In summary, this study leads to a better understanding of the difficulties related to the very principle of phase‐closure imaging. To circumvent these difficulties, we propose a strategy both simple and robust (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Where Do Solar Filaments Form?: Consequences for Theoretical Models

This paper examines the locations where large, stable solar filaments form relative to magnetic bipoles lying underneath them. The study extends the earlier work of F. Tang to include two additional classification categories for stable filaments and to consider their population during four distinct phases of the solar cycle. With this new classification scheme, results show that over 92% of filaments form in flux distributions that are nonbipolar in nature where the filament lies either fully (79%) or partially (13%) above a polarity inversion line (PIL) external to any single bipole. Filaments that form within a single bipole (traditionally called Type A) are not as common as previously thought. These results are a significant departure from those of F. Tang. Consistency with the earlier work is shown when our data are regrouped to conform to the two-category classification scheme for filaments adopted by F. Tang. We also demonstrate that only filaments that form along the external PIL lying between two bipoles (62% of the full sample, traditionally called Type B) show any form of solar cycle dependence, where their number significantly increases with magnetic activity over the solar cycle. Finally, current observations and theoretical models for the formation of filaments are discussed in the context of the present results. We conclude that key elements in the formation of the majority of filaments considered within this study must be the convergence of magnetic flux resulting in either flux cancellation or coronal reconnection.     

The Big Bear Solar Observatory Ca II K‐line index for solar cycle 23

We present an analysis of 2634 Ca II K‐line full‐disk filtergrams obtained with the 15‐cm aperture photometric full‐disk telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory during the period from 1996 January 1 to 2005 October 24. Using limb darkening corrected and contrast enhanced filtergrams, solar activity indices were derived, which are sensitive to the 11‐year solar activity cycle and 27‐day rotational period of plages around active regions and the bright chromospheric network. The present work extends an earlier study (solar cycle 22), which was based on video data. The current digital data are of much improved quality with higher spatial resolution and a narrower passband ameliorating photometric accuracy. The time series of chromospheric activity indices cover most of solar cycle 23. One of the most conspicuous features of the Ca II K indices is the secondary maximum in late 2001/early 2002 after an initial decline of chromospheric activity during the first half of 2001. We conclude that a secular trend exists in the Ca II K indices, which has its origin in the bright chromospheric network and brightenings related to decaying active regions. Superposed on this secular trend are the signatures of recurring, long‐lived active regions, which are clusters of persistent and continuously emerging magnetic flux. Such features are less visible, when the activity belts on both side of the equator are devoid of the brightenings related to decaying active regions as was the case in October/November 2003 at a time when a superactivity complex including several naked‐eye sunspots emerged (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Solar Radius Determination from Total Solar Eclipse Observations on 29 March 2006

Solar diameter measurements have been made nearly continuously through different techniques for more than three centuries. They were obtained mainly with ground-based instruments except for some recent estimates deduced from space observations. One of the main problems in such space data analysis is that, up to now, it has been difficult to obtain an absolute value owing to the absence of an internally calibrated system. Eclipse observations provide a unique opportunity to give an absolute angular scale to the measurements, leading to an absolute value of the solar diameter. However, the problem is complicated by the Moon limb, which presents asphericity because of the mountains. We present a determination of the solar diameter derived from the total solar eclipse observation in Turkey and Egypt on 29 March 2006. We found that the solar radius carried back to 1 AU was 959.22±0.04 arcsec at the time of the observations. The inspection of the compiled 19 modern eclipses data, with solar activity, shows that the radius changes are nonhomologous, an effect that may explain the discrepancies found in ground-based measurements and implies the role of the shallow subsurface layers (leptocline) of the Sun.     

Discovery of cyclic spot activity on the G8 giant HD 208472

We present and analyze 17 consecutive years of UBVRI time‐series photometry of the spotted giant component of the RS CVn binary HD 208472. Our aim is to determine the morphology and the evolution of its starspots by using periodsearch techniques and two‐spot light‐curve modelling. Spots on HD208472 always occur on hemispheres facing the observer during orbital quadrature and flip their location to the opposite hemisphere every approximately six years. The times when the spots change their preferential hemisphere correspond to times when the light curve amplitudes are the smallest and when abrupt changes of the photometric periods are observed. During these times the star is also close to a relative maximum brightness, suggesting a vanishing overall spottedness at each end of the previous cycle and the start of a new one. We find evidence for a 6.28±0.06‐yr brightness cycle, which we interpret to be a stellar analog of the solar 11‐year sunspot cycle. We also present clear evidence for a brightening trend, approximated with a 21.5±0.5‐yr period, possibly due to a stellar analog of the solar Gleissberg cycle. From the two‐spot modelling we also determine an upper limit for the differential‐rotation coefficient of α = ΔP/P of 0.004±0.010, which would be fifty times weaker than on the Sun (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Can variable meridional flows lead to false exoplanet detections?

The search for habitable exoplanets centers on planets with Earth-like conditions around late type stars. Radial velocity searches for these planets require precisions of 1 m/s and better. That is now being achieved. At these precisions stellar surface motions might lead to false detections. Of particular interest are variable meridional flows on stellar surfaces. I review the available observations of solar surface meridional flows using both Doppler shift and local helioseismology techniques. Interpretation in terms of Doppler shifts in integrated starlight leads to estimates of the likelihood of false detections. It is unlikely that these false detections occur in the habitability zones of exoplanets. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Imaging the cool stars in the interacting binaries AE Aqr,BV Cen and V426 Oph

It is well known that magnetic activity in late‐type stars increases with increasing rotation rate. Using inversion techniques akin to medical imaging, the rotationally broadened profiles from such stars can be used to reconstruct ‘Doppler images’ of the distribution of cool, dark starspots on their stellar surfaces. Interacting binaries, however, contain some of the most rapidly rotating late‐type stars known and thus provide important tests of stellar dynamo models. Furthermore, magnetic activity is thought to play a key role in their evolution, behaviour and accretion dynamics. Despite this, we know comparatively little about the magnetic activity and its influence on such binaries. In this review we summarise the concepts behind indirect imaging of these systems, and present movies of the starspot distributions on the cool stars in some interacting binaries. We conclude with a look at the future opportunities that such studies may provide. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Quantitative solar spectroscopy

Quantitative solar spectroscopy must be based on calibrated instrumentation. The basic requirement of a calibration, i.e., a comparison between the instrument under test and a primary laboratory standard through appropriate procedures, will be briefly reviewed, and the application to modern space instruments will be illustrated. Quantitative measurements of spectral radiances with high spectral and spatial resolutions as well as spectral irradiances yield detailed information on temperatures, electron densities, bulk and turbulent motions, element abundances of plasma structures in various regions of the solar atmosphere – from the photosphere to the outer corona and the solar wind. The particular requirements for helioseismology and magnetic‐field observations will not be covered in any depth in this review. Calibration by a laboratory standard is necessary, but not sufficient, because an adequate radiometric stability can only be achieved together with a stringent cleanliness concept that rules out a contamination of the optical system and the detectors as much as possible. In addition, there is a need for calibration monitoring through inter‐calibration and other means (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Acoustic interferometry of the solar atmosphere: p-modes with frequencies near the 'acoustic cut-off'

High-frequency p-mode intensity data, obtained from the South Pole in 1987, 1988, 1990 and 1994, show a sharp variation in the phase-shift function and in the frequency spacings near 5.5 mHz. Using a simple theoretical model, we demonstrate that this behaviour is caused by an acoustic resonance in the atmosphere between the excitation source and the upper reflection level. We discuss the diagnostic properties of this resonance, which is sensitive to the acoustic reflectivity of the solar atmosphere and to the location and parity of the excitation source. When applied to the solar data, our model indicates that the average acoustic reflectivity increases with increasing solar activity. The model also shows that the acoustic source has composite parity and is located within one pressure scaleheight of the base of the photosphere.     

Research on Wide-field Imaging Techniques for Low-frequency Radio Arraytwo

Wide-field imaging of low-frequency radio telescopes is subject to a number of difficult problems. One particularly pernicious problem is the non-coplanar baseline effect. It will lead to distortion of the final image when the phase of $w$-direction called $w$-term is ignored. The image degradation effects are amplified for the telescopes with a wide field of view. This paper summarizes and analyzes several $w$-term correction methods and their technical principles. Their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed after comparing their computational cost and computational complexity. We conduct simulations with two of these methods, i.e., faceting and $w$-projection, based on the configuration of the first-phase Square Kilometre Array (SKA) low-frequency array. The resulted images are also compared with the result of the two-dimensional Fourier transform method. The results show that the image quality and correctness derived from both faceting and $w$-projection are better than the two-dimensional Fourier transform method in wide-field imaging. The effects of the number of facets and the $w$-direction step length on the image quality and running time are evaluated. The results indicate that the number of facets and the $w$-direction step length must be reasonable. Finally, we analyze the effect of data size on the running times of the faceting and $w$-projection algorithms. The results show that the faceting and $w$-projection algorithms need to be optimized before the huge amount of data processing. The research of the present paper initiates the analysis of wide-field imaging techniques and their applications in the existing and future low-frequency arrays, and will foster their applications in even broader fields.     

The sun‐as‐a‐star solar spectrum

The Sun is the only star for which individual surface features can be observed directly. For other stars, the properties of starspots, stellar rotation, stellar flares, etc, are derived indirectly via variation of star‐integrated spectral line profiles or their luminosity measurements. Solar disk‐integrated and disk‐resolved observations allow for investigations of the contribution of individual solar disk features to sun‐as‐a‐star spectra. Here, we provide a brief overview of three sun‐as‐a‐star programs, currently in operation, and describe recent improvements in observations and data reduction for the Integrated Sunlight Spectrometer (ISS), one of three instruments comprising the Synoptic Optical Long‐term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) system. Next, we discuss studies employing sun‐as‐a‐star observations (including Ca II K line as proxy for total unsigned magnetic flux and 2800 MHz radio flux) as well as the effects of flares on solar disk‐integrated spectra. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Doppler tomography of accretion in binaries

Since its conception, Doppler tomography has matured into a versatile and widely used tool. It exploits the information contained in the highly‐structured spectral line‐profiles typically observed in mass‐transferring binaries. Using inversion techniques akin to medical imaging, it permits the reconstruction of Doppler maps that image the accretion flow on micro‐arcsecond scales. I summarise the basic concepts behind the technique and highlight two recent results; the use of donor star emission as a means to system parameter determination, and the real‐time movies of the evolving accretion flow in the cataclysmic variable WZ Sge during its 2001 outburst. I conclude with future opportunities in Doppler tomography by exploiting the combination of superior data sets, second generation reconstruction codes and simulated theoretical tomograms to delve deeper into the physics of accretion flows. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Compressed sensing imaging techniques for radio interferometry

Radio interferometry probes astrophysical signals through incomplete and noisy Fourier measurements. The theory of compressed sensing demonstrates that such measurements may actually suffice for accurate reconstruction of sparse or compressible signals. We propose new generic imaging techniques based on convex optimization for global minimization problems defined in this context. The versatility of the framework notably allows introduction of specific prior information on the signals, which offers the possibility of significant improvements of reconstruction relative to the standard local matching pursuit algorithm CLEAN used in radio astronomy. We illustrate the potential of the approach by studying reconstruction performances on simulations of two different kinds of signals observed with very generic interferometric configurations. The first kind is an intensity field of compact astrophysical objects. The second kind is the imprint of cosmic strings in the temperature field of the cosmic microwave background radiation, of particular interest for cosmology.     

基于FPGA的空间太阳磁像仪自校正稳像系统研制

太阳磁像仪是开展太阳磁场观测研究的核心仪器,其中的稳像系统是空间太阳磁像仪的关键技术之一,针对深空探测卫星系统对载荷重量、尺寸限制严苛的要求,设计了基于图像自校正方法的稳像观测系统.介绍了一套基于现场可编程门阵列(Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA)和数字信号处理器(Digital Signal Processor, DSP),通过基于自相关算法的高精度稳像方法设计,并结合精确偏振调制、准确交替采样控制等系统软硬件设计,克服由于卫星平台抖动、指向误差等因素造成的图像模糊,实现实时相关、校正、深积分的稳像观测系统.针对像素尺寸为1 K×1 K、帧频为20 fps的CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)探测器,实现了1像元以内的实时稳像观测精度.在完成实验室测试后, 2021年6月18日在国家天文台怀柔太阳观测基地35 cm太阳磁场望远镜上开展了实测验证,结果表明该系统能够有效地完成太阳磁像仪自校正稳像观测,获得了更高分辨率的太阳磁场数据.稳像系统的成功研制不仅可以为深空太阳磁像仪的研制提供轻量化、高...