Preliminary design of the INPE's Solar Vector Magnetograph

TL;DR

This paper presents the initial design of a solar vector magnetograph aimed at studying the solar magnetic field and its role in solar dynamics, with implications for space weather and solar physics research in Brazil.

Contribution

The paper introduces the preliminary design of a solar vector magnetograph and visible-light imager for space-based platforms, advancing Brazil's capabilities in solar physics research.

Findings

Design specifications for the magnetograph and imager are outlined.

The project aims to establish Brazil's expertise in solar instrumentation.

Expected to enhance understanding of solar magnetic phenomena.

Abstract

We describe the preliminary design of a magnetograph and visible-light imager instrument to study the solar dynamo processes through observations of the solar surface magnetic field distribution. The instrument will provide measurements of the vector magnetic field and of the line-of-sight velocity in the solar photosphere. As the magnetic field anchored at the solar surface produces most of the structures and energetic events in the upper solar atmosphere and significantly influences the heliosphere, the development of this instrument plays an important role in reaching the scientific goals of The Atmospheric and Space Science Coordination (CEA) at the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE). In particular, the CEA's space weather program will benefit most from the development of this technology. We expect that this project will be the starting point to establish a strong research program on Solar Physics in Brazil. Our main aim is acquiring progressively the know-how to build state-of-art solar vector magnetograph and visible-light imagers for space-based platforms to contribute to the efforts of the solar-terrestrial physics community to address the main unanswered questions on how our nearby Star works.