Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2011-06-24
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in Solar Physics. The final publication (including full-resolution figures) will be available at ht
Scientific paper
10.1007/s11207-011-9821-7
Different methods for simulating the effects of spatial resolution on magnetic field maps are compared, including those commonly used for inter-instrument comparisons. The investigation first uses synthetic data, and the results are confirmed with {\it Hinode}/SpectroPolarimeter data. Four methods are examined, one which manipulates the Stokes spectra to simulate spatial-resolution degradation, and three "post-facto" methods where the magnetic field maps are manipulated directly. Throughout, statistical comparisons of the degraded maps with the originals serve to quantify the outcomes. Overall, we find that areas with inferred magnetic fill fractions close to unity may be insensitive to optical spatial resolution; areas of sub-unity fill fractions are very sensitive. Trends with worsening spatial resolution can include increased average field strength, lower total flux, and a field vector oriented closer to the line of sight. Further-derived quantities such as vertical current density show variations even in areas of high average magnetic fill-fraction. In short, unresolved maps fail to represent the distribution of the underlying unresolved fields, and the "post-facto" methods generally do not reproduce the effects of a smaller telescope aperture. It is argued that selecting a method in order to reconcile disparate spatial resolution effects should depend on the goal, as one method may better preserve the field distribution, while another can reproduce spatial resolution degradation. The results presented should help direct future inter-instrument comparisons.
Barnes Graham
Leka KD
No associations
LandOfFree
Modelling and Interpreting The Effects of Spatial Resolution on Solar Magnetic Field Maps does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Modelling and Interpreting The Effects of Spatial Resolution on Solar Magnetic Field Maps, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modelling and Interpreting The Effects of Spatial Resolution on Solar Magnetic Field Maps will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-394358