SOTERIA WP2 Photosphere : ROB contribution

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SOTERIA WP2  Photosphere  ROB contribution

• ROB Lead Frédéric Clette

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Science goals

• Identify spatio-temporal patterns in past sunspot
  record (Durationsdecades to centuries)
• Constraints to physics-based solar cycle models
  non-linear  dynamo waves , flux emergence
  processes
• Predictive capability enhanced past record (gt
  flare occurrence)
• Establish long-term standard photospheric indices
  of solar activity
• Past reconstructed sunspot indices (unexploited
  information hemispheric cycle splitting, group
  class frequency, etc.)
• Future extension based on new techniques
  (electronic imaging) matching the visual Ri
  index?
• Multiple indices gt optimized proxies for solar,
  SW or climatological parameters (X-UV solar
  fluxes, TSI, flare index, closed/open solar
  magnetic field, toroidal/poloidal magnetic field,
  geomagnetic indices, NH temperature anomaly)

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ROB Work item 1

• Reconstruction of past visual information (access
  to new data)
• Digitisation encoding of past drawing
  collections
• Primary objective ROB drawing series (1940
  -2008)
• Planned extensions Zürich-Locarno (1850-2008),
  Konkoly Obs., Kanzelhöhe, Skalnate-Pleso
• Sunspot group tracking history of all individual
  groups (cycles 18-23 extension before cycle 18)
• Birth-to-death chronology
• Type (morphology Zürich, Mc Intosh
  classification), sunspot count, size (E-W, N-S,
  area?), rotation rate, dipole tilt.
• Initial selection of standard descriptive
  parameters (subset of KO descriptors?) gt standard
  publication format of photospheric data
• Base tool for detailed flare origin studies
  (precursor scenarios, active longitudes, gt
  prediction)

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ROB Work ITEM 2

• Study and evaluation of an image-based sunspot
  activity index (standardization)
• Step 1 Set of possible definitions (Joint WP2
  input)
• Step 2 Application of proposed definitions to
  available series (gt 1 solar cycle)
• Data sets SOHO-MDI, Debrecen-RGO digitized
  collection, Kanzelhöhe WL CCD images, Uccle WL
  CCD images, .
• Step 3 comparative studies of generated series
• Reference SIDC relative sunspot index Ri
• Statistical correlative measures indices vs Ri,
  inter-index
• Relative merit assessment of different
  definitions
• Correlation with the Ri long-term reference
• Sensitivity to series properties (instrument
  resolution, seeing conditions) and to solar cycle
  phase.
• Relation facular/sunspot indices

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Available means

• Manpower
• SOTERIA (32 ManxMonth, 105k)
• 0.5 fte/3 years (0.5 fte) Operator
  (digitization, data acquisition/distribution)
• 1 fte/6 months (0.15 fte) Post-doc (image-based
  index study)
• 1 fte/1 month (0.03 fte) Senior scientist
  (image-based index study )
• 1 fte/6 months (0.15 fte) ICT (support to VO)
• ROB (12 ManxMonth) 0.1 fte Senior scientist, 0.1
  fte ICT, 2x0.25 fte operator 4 part-time
  observers (optical telescopes).
• STCE (36 ManxMonth) 0.5 fte operator, 0.5 fte
  scientist (graduate?).
• Material ressources
• SOTERIA 2.5 k (desktop PCs)
• STCE digitizing hardware (A3 scanners, 5k)
• LOTTO new 2kx2k CCD camera matched optics (60
  k)
• ROB
• Infrastructure USET Uccle solar telescopes,
  technical maintenance, ICT infrastructure
  (servers, storage)
• Heritage ROB solar drawing collection, RWC
   Sunspot  extensive experience.

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Delivered products

• Digitized drawing collections database
  ROB-Uccle ( Zürich-Locarno)
• Visual sunspot group catalog/database (1940-2008)
  (merged with SDD?)
• Objective evaluation of proposed image-based
  photospheric activity indices ( faculae?)
  gtgt Standard image-based
  global activity index/indices (Publication)
• applicable to any past and future image
  collection (photographic/CCD, ground/space-based)
• White-light CCD images from the USET (Uccle
  station, ROB)
• Opening of future prospects
• Networking and collaborations between
  SOTERIA-contributing GB observatories
• Encoding of other drawing archives extension of
  individual group tracking to past centuries.
• Establishment of a new international reference
  sunspot index based on electronic imaging
  ( SOTERIA number ?).
• Multi-secular irradiance proxy Ri vs image index
  calibration (incl. facular proxy)