The next generation Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON) spectrophotometer: a new miniaturised instrument for helioseismology

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new miniaturised spectrophotometer for helioseismology, utilizing off-the-shelf hardware to enhance the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network's observational capabilities.

Contribution

It presents a novel, cost-effective, and compact spectrophotometer design that maintains data quality and integrates seamlessly with existing solar observation networks.

Findings

Prototype produces high-quality data on solar p-mode oscillations.

System modelling and field testing confirm instrument's effectiveness.

Enables extended and more sustainable solar observation campaigns.

Abstract

We describe a new spectrophotometer for the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON), based on a next generation observation platform, BiSON:NG, a significantly miniaturised system making use of inexpensive consumer-grade hardware and off-the-shelf components, where possible. We show through system modelling and simulation, along with a summer observing campaign, that the prototype instrument produces data on the Sun's low-degree acoustic (p-mode) oscillations that are of equal quality and can be seamlessly integrated into the existing network. Refreshing the existing ageing hardware, and the extended observational network potential of BiSON:NG, will secure our ongoing programme of high-quality synoptic observations of the Sun's low-degree oscillations (e.g., for seismic monitoring of the solar cycle at a "whole Sun" level).