Multi Application Solar Telescope (MAST): A Versatile Tool for Studying the Physics of Solar Eruptions
Abstract
pvk@prl.res.in Contemporary solar research is progressing along several fronts. Solar magnetism and its role in powering solar eruptions is one basic theme. Quantitative evaluation of the different manifestations of the free energy available for eruption is one major task. This requires vector magnetograms of a large number of active regions monitored closely in time with high polarimetric accuracy. The second task is to obtain greater clarity about various triggering mechanisms for the eruptions. This requires observations of line-of-sight magnetic fields and velocity fields with high spatial resolution. Both tasks need mutually exclusive requirements leading to the concept of the multi application telescope. In this talk, I outline the various steps, like site characterization, optical design, adaptive optics development and schemes for back-end instrumentation that culminated in the present concept of MAST. I will emphasize the constraints posed by availability of and access to technology which played a significant role in deciding the concept. I conclude by highlighting certain unique features of MAST which can provide special insights into a few scientific problems.
- Publication:
-
2nd UN/NASA Workshop on International Heliophysical Year and Basic Space Science
- Pub Date:
- November 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006ihy..workE..33V