The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager for the Solar Dynamics Observatory
Abstract
The NASA Living With a Star (LWS) Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission is now in Phase-A of its development. The instrument complement has been selected and includes the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI). The primary goal the HMI investigation is to study the origin of solar variability and to characterize and understand the Sun's interior and the various components of magnetic activity. HMI will make measurements of the motion of the solar photosphere to study solar oscillations and measurements of the polarization in a spectral line to study all three components of the photospheric magnetic field. HMI will produce data to determine the interior sources and mechanisms of solar variability and how the physical processes inside the Sun are related to surface magnetic field and activity. It also will produce data to enable estimates of the coronal magnetic field for studies of variability in the extended solar atmosphere. HMI observations will enable establishing the relationships between the internal dynamics and magnetic activity in order to understand solar variability and its effects, leading to predictive capability, one of the key elements of the Living With a Star (LWS) program. The broad goals described above will be addressed in a coordinated investigation in a number of parallel studies. These segments of the HMI investigation are to observe and understand these interlinked processes: Convection- zone dynamics and the solar dynamo; Origin and evolution of sunspots, active regions and complexes of activity; Sources and drivers of solar activity and disturbances; Links between the internal processes and dynamics of the corona and heliosphere; and Precursors of solar disturbances for space-weather forecasts. All HMI data will be available to all for analysis after only minutes to days of automated processing. The dedicated efforts of many in the solar community will be needed to exploit the full potential of HMI and every effort will be made to make such contributions possible.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002AGUFMSH52A0494S
- Keywords:
-
- 7594 Instruments and techniques