Solar wind imaging facility (SWIFT) for space weather research

Masayoshi Kojima; Munetoshi Tokumaru; Ken-ichi Fujiki; Yoshio Ishida; Tomoaki Ohmi; Keiji Hayashi; Masahiro Yamashita

doi:10.1117/12.460271

11 February 2003 Solar wind imaging facility (SWIFT) for space weather research

Masayoshi Kojima, Munetoshi Tokumaru, Ken-ichi Fujiki, Yoshio Ishida, Tomoaki Ohmi, Keiji Hayashi, Masahiro Yamashita

Proceedings Volume 4853, Innovative Telescopes and Instrumentation for Solar Astrophysics; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460271
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

The interplanetary scintillation (IPS) method can observe the dynamics and structure of the solar wind in three dimensions with a relatively short time cadence (<1 day) using IPS radio sources distributed over the sky. Because of this advantage over in situ measurements, we have been conducting multi-station 327 MHz IPS observations at the Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory. The IPS measurement is a line-of-sight integration which is a convolution of the solar wind structures, the distance of these from the Earth and other diffraction effects present along the line of sight. We have recently succeeded in developing a method to deconvolve the line-of-sight integration effects using a computer-assisted-tomography (CAT) technique to obtain solar wind speed and electron density fluctuations. The CAT analysis not only retrieves three-dimensional solar wind parameters, but also provides better spatial resolutions than previous analysis techniques. The present IPS system at STELab observes several tens of IPS sources a day. To make solar wind observations with higher spatial and temporal resolution using the CAT method, we need more perspective views of the solar wind. Therefore, we are planning a new UHF antenna with an effective collecting area of 5500m^2 that will observe more than 100 IPS sources per day. The antenna is designed with a tolerance for radio noise interference and high aperture efficiency. Based on the successful development of the IPS CAT analysis, we are presently continuing a US-Japan cooperative project for space weather research between UCSD/CASS and STELab. This project with the new antenna will enhance IPS/US cooperation including future comparative analyses of data from the Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) and from STEREO.

Citation Download Citation

Masayoshi Kojima, Munetoshi Tokumaru, Ken-ichi Fujiki, Yoshio Ishida, Tomoaki Ohmi, Keiji Hayashi, and Masahiro Yamashita "Solar wind imaging facility (SWIFT) for space weather research", Proc. SPIE 4853, Innovative Telescopes and Instrumentation for Solar Astrophysics, (11 February 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460271

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available