Solar Physics

I use a variety of ground and space-based instruments to observe the Sun, and in particular, its magnetic field, which is what makes the Sun so interesting. The two instruments I use most frequently these days are the SOLIS Vector-SpectroMagnetograph, which can obtain full-disk vector magnetic field measurements at high temporal cadences, and Hinode, the space-based Japanese satellite that obtains vector-magnetic field measurements with stable, high-angular resolution.

The figure below shows an example of the vector magnetic field in a sunspot region as retrieved from polarized spectra obtained with the SOLIS VSM.

Current Solar Physics Projects

DOT	Dutch Open Telescope The Dutch Open Telescope (DOT) is an innovative solar telescope of Utrecht University located at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofïsica de Canarias on La Palma, Canary Islands. It achieves high-resolution imaging of the sun simultaneously in multiple wavelengths. Funding provided by Utrecht University, STW
EST	European Solar Telescope EST is a 4-meter class solar telescope, to be located in the Canary Islands. It will be optimised for studies of the magnetic coupling between the deep photosphere and the upper chromosphere. This will require diagnostics of the thermal, dynamic and magnetic properties of the plasma over many scale heights, by using multiple wavelength imaging, spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry. EST will specialize in high spatial and temporal resolution using instruments that can efficiently produce two-dimensional spectral information. Funding provided by EC
S5T	Small Synoptic Second Solar Spectrum Telescope The S5T is a compact instrument for daily observations of the scattering polarization on the Sun with large polarimetric sensitivity and stability. Examining the scattering polarization signatures in many spectral lines for the duration of at least one solar cycle yields crucial information about the nature of turbulent magnetic fields in the quiet solar photosphere. Funding provided by NOVA
SDO/AIA	Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly will image the solar atmosphere in multiple wavelengths to link changes in the surface to interior changes. Data will include images of the Sun in 10 wavelengths every 10 seconds. Funding provided by NIVR
SOLIS	Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) is a synoptic facility for solar observations over a long time frame that is funded by the NSF and designed and built by the National Solar Observatory. Funding provided by NSF, NSO
Solaire	Solaire Research Training Network SOLAIRE is a Research Training Network financed by the European Commission. It consists of 12 European Universities and Research Institutes and a private R&D company. The SOLAIRE network carries out research in solar and interplanetary physics and provides training of researchers at the initial stages of their careers. Funding provided by EC/RTN
USO-SP	Utrecht-Stockholm-Oslo Graduate School in Solar Physics The USO-SP International Graduate School for Solar Physics is a cooperation between Utrecht, the Netherlands: Utrecht University, Sterrekundig Instituut; Stockholm, Sweden: The Institute for Solar Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; and Oslo, Norway: University of Oslo, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics. The School is supported by the European Commission as an FP6 Marie Curie Action Early Stage Research Training programme. Funding provided by EC/EST