Speaker
Alfred de Wijn
(NCAR/HAO)
Description
The Chromosphere and Prominence Magnetometer (ChroMag) is an
instrument with the goal
of quantifying the intertwined dynamics and magnetism of the
solar chromosphere and
in prominences through imaging spectro-polarimetry of the
full solar disk in a
synoptic fashion. The picture of chromospheric magnetism and
dynamics is rapidly
developing, and a pressing need exists for breakthrough
observations of chromospheric
vector magnetic field measurements that can be considered to
be a lower boundary of
the heliospheric system. ChroMag will provide measurements
that will enable
scientists to study and better understand the energetics of
the solar atmosphere, how
prominences are formed, how energy is stored in the magnetic
field structure of the
atmosphere and how it is released during space weather
events like flares and coronal
mass ejections. ChroMag relies heavily on new tools to
interpret the measurements
and derive the magneto-hydrodynamic parameters of the
plasma. Recent interest in the
solar chromosphere and increases of computing power have led
to advances in modeling
that are beginning to make such tools feasible.
Measurements of an instrument like
ChroMag provide critical physical context for the Solar
Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
and Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) as well as
ground-based
observatories such as the future Daniel K. Inouye Solar
Telescope (DKIST). A
prototype ChroMag instrument is currently deployed in
Boulder, CO, USA. We will
present an overview of instrument capabilities, a progress
update on the ChroMag
development, and show first results.
Primary author
Alfred de Wijn
(NCAR/HAO)
