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arXiv · 2210.11293

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

S. J. Hale·W. J. Chaplin·G. R. Davies·Y. P. Elsworth·R. Howe
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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).

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S. J. Hale, W. J. Chaplin, G. R. Davies, Y. P. Elsworth, R. Howe. 2022-10-20. The next generation Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON) spectrophotometer: a new miniaturised instrument for helioseismology. https://doi.org/10.1093/rasti/rzac007

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