Turbulent magnetic fields in the quiet Sun: A search for cyclic variations

TL;DR

This study monitors turbulent magnetic fields in the quiet Sun over time using the Hanle effect, aiming to detect potential cyclic variations and complement existing magnetogram data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel synoptic observational program to track small-scale magnetic field variations in the quiet Sun using the Hanle effect.

Findings

Initial results suggest detectable variations in scattering polarization signatures.

The program complements SOHO magnetogram data for small-scale magnetic field monitoring.

No definitive cyclic variation confirmed yet.

Abstract

Turbulent magnetic fields fill most of the volume of the solar atmosphere. However, their spatial and temporal variations are still unknown. Since 2007, during the current solar minimum, we are periodically monitoring several wavelength regions in the solar spectrum to search for variations of the turbulent magnetic field in the quiet Sun. These fields, which are below the resolution limit, can be detected via the Hanle effect which influences the scattering polarization signatures (Q/I) in the presence of magnetic fields. We present a description of our program and first results showing that such a synoptic program is complementary to the daily SOHO magnetograms for monitoring small-scale magnetic fields.