arXiv subjects

K. Sankarasubramanian

Publications and source records attributed to K. Sankarasubramanian.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

In-orbit Calibrations of the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope

The Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) is one of the payloads in ASTROSAT, the first Indian Space Observatory. The UVIT instrument has two 375mm telescopes: one for the far-ultraviolet (FUV) channel (1300--1800Å), and the other for the near-ultraviolet (NUV) channel (2000--3000Å) and the visible (VIS) channel (3200--5500Å). UVIT is primarily designed for simultaneous imaging in the two ultraviolet channels with spatial resolution better than 1.8 arcsec, along with provision for slit-less spectroscopy in the NUV and FUV channels.The results of in-orbit calibrations of UVIT are presented in this paper.

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arXiv2016

In-orbit Performance of UVIT and First Results

The performance of the ultraviolet telescope (UVIT) on-board ASTROSAT is reported. The performance in orbit is also compared with estimates made from the calibrations done on the ground. The sensitivity is found to be within ~15% of the estimates, and the spatial resolution in the NUV is found to exceed significantly the design value of 1.8 arcsec and it is marginally better in the FUV. Images obtained from UVIT are presented to illustrate the details revealed by the high spatial resolution. The potential of multi-band observations in the ultraviolet with high spatial resolution is illustrated by some results.

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arXiv2011

SoLEXS - A low-energy X-ray Spectrometer for Solar Coronal Studies

A Solar Low-energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS), a high spectral resolution (\leq 250 eV at 5.9 keV) instrument with soft X-ray energy coverage (\leq 1.5 keV), is being proposed as an additional payload on-board Aditya-1. The motivation behind this is to complement the visible emission line space solar coronagraph, the main payload on Aditya-1. The science goals in which SoLEXS data will compliment the main payload are: (i) Understanding of DC heating mechanism, (ii) Studies on the Flare-CME relations from the same platform, (iii) Independent and accurate estimates of temperature and emission measure at the flaring sites, and (iv) Coronal abundance studies and its variations during flares. Apart from these four major science goals, this instrument in principle can provide a flare trigger to the main payload and help in optimizing the on-board memory storage.

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arXiv2010

Seeing-Induced Errors in Solar Doppler Velocity Measurements

Imaging systems based on a narrow-band tunable filter are used to obtain Doppler velocity maps of solar features. These velocity maps are created by taking the difference between the blue- and red-wing intensity images of a chosen spectral line. This method has the inherent assumption that these two images are obtained under identical conditions. With the dynamical nature of the solar features as well as the Earth's atmosphere, systematic errors can be introduced in such measurements. In this paper, a quantitative estimate of the errors introduced due to variable seeing conditions for ground-based observations is simulated and compared with real observational data for identifying their reliability. It is shown, under such conditions, that there is a strong cross-talk from the total intensity to the velocity estimates. These spurious velocities are larger in magnitude for the umbral regions compared to the penumbra or quiet-sun regions surrounding the sunspots. The variable seeing can induce spurious velocities up to about 1 km/s It is also shown that adaptive optics, in general, helps in minimising this effect.

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arXiv2010

Local helioseismic and spectroscopic analyses of interactions between acoustic waves and a sunspot

Using a high cadence imaging spectropolarimetric observation of a sunspot and its surroundings in magnetically sensitive (FeI 6173 A) and insensitive (FeI 7090 A) upper photospheric absorption lines, we map the instantaneous wave phases and helioseismic travel times as a function of observation height and inclination of magnetic field to the vertical. We confirm the magnetic inclination angle dependent transmission of incident acoustic waves into upward propagating waves, and derive (1) proof that helioseismic travel times receive direction dependent contributions from such waves and hence cause errors in conventional flow inferences, (2) evidences for acoustic wave sources beneath the umbral photosphere, and (3) significant differences in travel times measured from the chosen magnetically sensitive and insensitive spectral lines.

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arXiv2009

Global Twist of Sunspot Magnetic Fields Obtained from High Resolution Vector Magnetograms

The presence of fine structures in the sunspot vector magnetic fields has been confirmed from Hinode as well as other earlier observations. We studied 43 sunspots based on the data sets taken from ASP/DLSP, Hinode (SOT/SP) and SVM (USO). In this \emph{Letter}, (i) We introduce the concept of signed shear angle (SSA) for sunspots and establish its importance for non force-free fields. (ii) We find that the sign of global $α$ (force-free parameter) is well correlated with the global SSA and the photospheric chirality of sunspots. (iii) Local $α$ patches of opposite signs are present in the umbra of each sunspot. The amplitude of the spatial variation of local $α$ in the umbra is typically of the order of the global $α$ of the sunspot. (iv) We find that the local $α$ is distributed as alternately positive and negative filaments in the penumbra. The amplitude of azimuthal variation of the local $α$ in the penumbra is approximately an order of magnitude larger than that in the umbra. The contributions of the local positive and negative currents and $α$ in the penumbra cancel each other giving almost no contribution for their global values for whole sunspot. (v) Arc-like structures (partial rings) with a sign opposite to that of the dominant sign of $α$ of the umbral region are seen at the umbral-penumbral boundaries of some sunspots. (vi) Most of the sunspots studied, belong to the minimum epoch of the 23$^{rd}$ solar cycle and do not follow the so-called hemispheric helicity rule.

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arXiv2009

Helicity at Photospheric and Chromospheric Heights

In the solar atmosphere the twist parameter $α$ has the same sign as magnetic helicity. It has been observed using photospheric vector magnetograms that negative/positive helicity is dominant in the northern/southern hemisphere of the Sun. Chromospheric features show dextral/sinistral dominance in the northern/southern hemisphere and sigmoids observed in X-rays also have a dominant sense of reverse-S/forward-S in the northern/southern hemisphere. It is of interest whether individual features have one-to-one correspondence in terms of helicity at different atmospheric heights. We use UBF \Halpha images from the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) and other \Halpha data from Udaipur Solar Observatory and Big Bear Solar Observatory. Near-simultaneous vector magnetograms from the DST are used to establish one-to-one correspondence of helicity at photospheric and chromospheric heights. We plan to extend this investigation with more data including coronal intensities.

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arXiv2008

High Resolution Observations using Adaptive Optics: Achievements and Future Needs

Over the last few years, several interesting observations were obtained with the help of solar Adaptive Optics (AO). In this paper, few observations made using the solar AO are enlightened and briefly discussed. A list of disadvantages with the current AO system are presented. With telescopes larger than 1.5m are expected during the next decade, there is a need to develop the existing AO technologies for large aperture telescopes. Some aspects of this development are highlighted. Finally, the recent AO developments in India are also presented.

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arXiv2008

On the Weakening of Chromospheric Magnetic Field in Active Regions

Simultaneous measurement of line-of-sight (LOS) magnetic and velocity fields at the photosphere and chromosphere are presented. Fe I line at $\lambda6569$ and $H_α$ at $\lambda6563$ are used respectively for deriving the physical parameters at photospheric and chromospheric heights. The LOS magnetic field obtained through the center-of-gravity method show a linear relation between photospheric and chromospheric field for field strengths less than 700 G. But in strong field regions, the LOS magnetic field values derived from $H_α$ are much weaker than what one gets from the linear relationship and also from those expected from the extrapolation of the photospheric magnetic field. We discuss in detail the properties of magnetic field observed in $H_α$ from the point of view of observed velocity gradients. The bisector analysis of $H_α$ Stokes $I$ profiles show larger velocity gradients in those places where strong photospheric magnetic fields are observed. These observations may support the view that the stronger fields diverge faster with height compared to weaker fields.

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arXiv2008

Fine Scale Magnetic Fields in and around a Decaying Active Region

High spatial resolution spectro-polarimetric observation of a decaying spot was observed with the Diffraction Limited Spectro-Polarimeter. The spatial resolution achieved was close to the diffraction limit (0."18) of the Dunn Solar Telescope. The fine scales present inside the decaying active region as well as surrounding areas were studied. Two interesting phenomenon observed are: (i) Canopy like structures are likely to be present in the umbral dots as well as in the light bridges providing evidence for field-free intrusion, (ii) There are opposite polarity loops present outside of the spot and some of them connects to the main spot and the surrounding magnetic features.

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arXiv2007

An efficient modulation scheme for dual beam polarimetry

An eight stage balanced modulation scheme for dual beam polarimetry is presented in this paper. The four Stokes parameters are weighted equally in all the eight stages of modulation resulting in total polarimetric efficiency of unity. The gain table error inherent in dual beam system is reduced by using the well known beam swapping technique. The wavelength dependent polarimetric efficiencies of Stokes parameters due to the chromatic nature of the waveplates are presented. The proposed modulation scheme produces better Stokes $Q$ and $V$ efficiencies for wavelengths larger than the design wavelength whereas Stokes $U$ has better efficiency in the shorter wavelength region. Calibration of the polarimeter installed as a backend instrument of the Kodaikanal Tower Telescope is presented. It is found through computer simulation that a 14% sky transparency variation during calibration of the polarimeter can introduce $\approx 1.8%$ uncertainty in the determination of its response matrix.

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arXiv2006

Radiative transfer effects on Doppler measurements as sources of surface effects in sunspot seismology

We show that the use of Doppler shifts of Zeeman sensitive spectral lines to observe wavesn in sunspots is subject to measurement specific phase shifts arising from, (i) altered height range of spectral line formation and the propagating character of p mode waves in penumbrae, and (ii) Zeeman broadening and splitting. We also show that these phase shifts depend on wave frequencies, strengths and line of sight inclination of magnetic field, and the polarization state used for Doppler measurements. We discuss how these phase shifts could contribute to local helioseismic measurements of 'surface effects' in sunspot seismology.

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