Toward high spatial resolution in solar observations

To achieve high spatial resolution capability for IR solar observations, we suggest the use of a special mask placed before the entrance aperture of large conventional optical telescopes. Such a mask would match well the resolution of a non-redundant array and would provide safe operation of a large telescope used for solar observations. The proposed solution has the additional advantage of relatively low cost because already-existing optical telescopes are used.     

Fine Structure of the Magnetic Chromosphere: Near-Limb Imaging,Data Processing and Analysis of Spicules and Mottles

The origin and the dynamical evolution of spicules and mottles continue to be a highly interesting research subject. Using high-resolution H observations obtained with the Dunn Solar Telescope of the Sacramento Peak Observatory and an image processing technique for the enhancement of near-limb solar images, we study the dynamics of spicules and mottles as well as their relation. Our image-processing technique is based on the correction for the limb darkening and the use of a directionally sensitive operator, the `MadMax'. The temporal evolution of characteristic cases of spicules, dark and bright mottles, indicates an association between them and supports the suggestion that the magnetic field and probably related forces play a fundamental role in their generation and dynamics. We present characteristic cases of fine bright mottles, observable in the H far wings, that appear in close juxtaposition to dark mottles. The phenomenon appears to be common, suggesting that the velocities derived from marginal resolution spectroscopic observations could be underestimated. Typical examples of individual mottles crossing the solar limb further support the association between spicules and mottles. Finally we show images of arch-shaped mottles above the limb and especially on the disk, confirming the existence of chromospheric small loops. Our image-processing method substantially enhances near-limb observations and permits an insight into the studies of the very fine chromospheric structures.     

Interpretation of the Radiation of Coronal Suprathermal Streams. I.

This is the first part of a series of two articles aimed at revealing the role of the Compton effect in scattering of the solar photospheric radiation by coronal suprathermal streams. The simplest situation of a single beam of electrons gyrating around the strength lines of magnetic field is considered. Attention is focused on the height-independent problem, in which the role of the spatial angle of incident radiation is ignored. Analytical expressions for the frequency change of interacting photons and for the proper cross-section of the scattering process are derived. The results of numerical calculations show that the effect may by significant even for moderate energies of fast electrons and will be observable only if the fractional density of fast electrons is not too small.     

Prominence fine structure II: Diagnostics

A random-clustering model of prominence fine-structure has been applied to observations of prominence H spectra. The model yields an estimate of the number of unresolved elements that form an individual resolved feature, and sets limits on their velocity and H profile dispersions.     

Saturn's rings: A photometric study of ring C

A simple computational procedure is proposed for determining the true photometric profile of ring C using the spread function obtained from the satellite Dione and also slightly overexposed photographs of Saturn. No trace of a faint additional ring between ring C and the disk was found. The decreasing part, toward the planet, of the recorded photometric profile of ring C exhibits a slight depression tentatively attributed to a new division.     

Etude photometrique d'un renforcement diffus observé dans la lumière zodiacale, à une distance de 100 R⊙ du soleil

A photograph of the zodiacal light obtained at the Pic du Midi Observatory is studied in order to measure, in absolute units, the brightness of the reinforcement, observed 15° above the ecliptic plan and in a distance of 100R⊙ from the Sun.The obtained brightnesses are compared to the brightness of the zodiacal light given by other authors for the elongations ? ? [23°, 40°]. The calibration of the image was made using the stars in the field of the image and isophotes corrected for extinction were obtained, by the method of isodensities.A discussion of the obtained results is made and the origin of the reinforcement is investigated. The mass evaluation of the interplanetary particles producing this reinforcement has been estimated and permits to us to conclude that it may be due to particles evaporated from the circumsolar region. The mechanism of transfer of momentum to the particles in orbit around the Sun by a convecting ma magnetic field is not elucidated.     

Fine Structure of the solar atmosphere from near-limb observations in three wavelengths

We analyze a time series of high-resolution observations near the limb, in the continuum, in the Mg b ₁ line (-0.4 Å off line center), and in the wings of H (+0.75 Å). The observations were obtained with a CCD camera at the Vacuum Tower telescope of the Sacramento Peak Observatory. We study the association of facular points, as they appear at different heights of the solar atmosphere (continuum, b ₁ - 0.4 Å, H + 0.75 Å) with the feet of fine dark mottles.     

Analysis of a Failed Eclipse Plasma Ejection Using EUV Observations

The photometry of eclipse white-light (W-L) images showing a moving blob is interpreted for the first time together with observations from space with the PRoject for On Board Autonomy (PROBA-2) mission (ESA). An off-limb event seen with great details in W-L was analyzed with the SWAP imager (Sun Watcher using Active pixel system detector and image Processing) working in the EUV near 174 Å. It is an elongated plasma blob structure of 25 Mm diameter moving above the east limb with coronal loops under. Summed and co-aligned SWAP images are evaluated using a 20-h sequence, in addition to the 11 July, 2010 eclipse W-L images taken from several sites. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) recorded the event suggesting a magnetic reconnection near a high neutral point; accordingly, we also call it a magnetic plasmoid. The measured proper motion of the blob shows a velocity up to \(12~\mbox{km}\,\mbox{s}^{-1}\). Electron densities of the isolated condensation (cloud or blob or plasmoid) are photometrically evaluated. The typical value is \(10^{8}~\mbox{cm}^{-3}\) at \(r=1.7~\mathrm{R}_{\odot}\), superposed on a background corona of \(10^{7}~\mbox{cm}^{-3}\) density. The mass of the cloud near its maximum brightness is found to be \(1.6\times10^{13}\) g, which is typically \(0.6\times10^{-4}\) of the overall mass of the corona. From the extrapolated magnetic field the cloud evolves inside a rather broad open region but decelerates, after reaching its maximum brightness. The influence of such small events for supplying material to the ubiquitous slow wind is noticed. A precise evaluation of the EUV photometric data, after accurately removing the stray light, suggests an interpretation of the weak 174 Å radiation of the cloud as due to resonance scattering in the Fe IX/X lines.     

Measurements of the magnetic field in solar prominences with a spectrally scanning magnetograph

We describe observations with a new magnetograph capable of recording the whole profile of emission lines in prominences. Two recordings are used simultaneously to study the Zeeman effect in circularly polarized light. The spectral scan is produced by the action of piezo ceramics of a Perot-Fabry inter ferometer combined with a narrow band interference filter.The instrument is calibrated using 100% circularly polarized light and an emission line produced in Laboratory conditions in a simulated longitudinal magnetic field. The magnetograph was attached to the large coronagraph (Ø 53 cm) of Kislovodsk to give a series of measurements of the H line of several quiescent and active prominences. The observed values of the longitudinal component of the magnetic field are between: -25 G + 13 G with a noise level at ±2 G for a corresponding resolution of 8 arc sec.Effects produced by the instrumental polarization are discussed.S.A.S. Institut d'Astrophysique du CNRS, 98bis, Bd Arago, F 75014 Paris.