The Structure and Evolution of Solar Active Regions

P.I.: T.M. Brown (HAO/NCAR)

Co-Is: T.J. Bogdan (HAO/NCAR), A. Skumanich (HAO/NCAR)

This study aims to combine seismic and polarimetric observations to deduce the time-dependent structure of solar active regions, both above and below the photospheric level. New analysis methods (including time-distance analysis, p-mode absorption and scattering measurements, and characterization of acoustic sources) will be applied to MDI helioseismology data to infer subsurface flows and magnetic field structures in the general neighborhood of selected magnetic active regions. These regions will also be observed at high spatial resolution with the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter, yielding both vector magnetic field maps and moderate-resolution Doppler time series that may be used for further seismic analysis. These various observations will be combined in an attempt to clarify the relations between flows, electric currents, and field patterns in and around centers of magnetic activity.


Complete text of proposal.