Measurement Scale of the SOLIS Vector Spectromagnetograph

Abstract

Longitudinal magnetograms obtained with the SOLIS Vector Spectromagnetograph (VSM) during a cross-calibration period are compared with similar data from the NASA/NSO Spectromagnetograph (SPM) at the NSO/Kitt Peak Vacuum Telescope as well as with SOHO/MDI and GONG magnetograms. The VSM began observations at the University of Arizona agricultural test site and collaborative observations were obtained with both the VSM and SPM from 2003 Aug 05 through 2003 Sep 21 when the SPM was officially retired. The VSM replaces the SPM and continues the 30-year NSO/Kitt Peak synoptic magnetogram record. Magnetograms are compared by equating histograms and, for selected examples, by pixel-by-pixel comparison of coregistered images. The VSM was not corrected for polarization crosstalk and was operated without fast guiding. Solar activity was at best moderate during this period. Over the range of observed fields, the VSM magnetograms show greatly improved sensitivity but are otherwise virtually identical with ``raw’’ SPM magnetograms. GONG magnetograms are also closely comparable with the SPM while MDI flux values tend to be stronger by a factor of 1.2 - 1.4. Dependence of the results on seeing will be discussed. Partial funding for this work was provided through Solar and Heliospheric Research Supporting Research and Technology grants from NASA’s Office of Space Sciences.

Publication
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #204

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