High Spatial Resolution Imaging in Solar Physics

Bonet, J. A.
Bibliographical reference

Motions in the Solar Atmosphere, Proceedings of the Summerschool and Workshop held at the Solar Observatory Kanzelhöhe, Kärnten, Austria, September 1-12, 1997, edited by Arnold Hanslmeier and Mauro Messerotti, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht/Boston/London, Astrophysics and Space Science Library, v. 239, 1999, ISBN 0-7923-5507-5, p. 1-34.

Advertised on:
0
1999
Number of authors
1
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
11
Refereed citations
10
Description
Physical processes in the Sun give rise to an ample variety of structures on different spatial scales that in many cases are very small, with sizes probably below the resolution limit of existing solar telescopes (see Sánchez Almeida, 1997; Sánchez Almeida and Bonet, 1997). Thus, the interpretation of solar phenomena requires the study of these structures, and consequently high spatial resolution observations are necessary to understand the physics of the Sun. These observations must be complemented by an equally important high-resolution spectroscopic analysis, including polarimetric measurements to determine the magnetic field strength (magnetic fields have a pervasive influence on the physical events in the Sun). However, in the present study we shall concentrate on the first aspect of the observational process, i.e. we shall describe some of the tools and resources available for producing high spatial resolution images.