Near Infrared Observations of Solar Granulation
Abstract
The near infrared continuum provides a unique window for the study of solar granulation. The opacity minimum at a wavelength of 1600nm allows granulation to be imaged at a depth of roughly 50km below the optical depth unity (500nm) level, and the continuum at 5000nm, formed by H- free-free opacity, arises from a layer roughly 70 km above the optical depth unity level. There are two challenges in observing granulation in the infrared; image motion and distortion from the Earth's atmosphere, and telescopic resolution at longer wavelengths. To meet these challenges we present data from the National Solar Observatory McMath-Pierce Main Telescope (currently the largest solar telescope with a 1.6m aperture) using adaptive optics and post-processing techniques to remove seeing effects.
- Publication:
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AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008AGUSMSP41B..01P
- Keywords:
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- 7529 Photosphere