Title: Solar Continuum and Magnetic Field Observations by the MDI Instrument
Author: R.I. Bush
Affil: Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory,Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Email: rbush@solar.stanford.edu
Authors: P.H. Scherrer, K. Chu
Abstract: The Michelson Doppler Imager instrument on the SOHO spacecraft has been observing the Sun over the last five years. One of the MDI observing priorities has been to obtain regular 4 arc-second resolution full disk observations of the solar magnetic field and a composite photospheric continuum at 676.8 nm. The continuity of these observations combined with the lack of atmospheric seeing makes these measurements extremely valuable in studying the evolution of the Sun from solar minimum through maximum.
The MDI synoptic magnetograms have been taken at a 96 minute cadence since May 1996, and regular continuum images are available from June 1997. In addition to the synoptic images, high resolution synoptic maps and movies have been made from both these observables. These data are a important input to modeling of solar irradiance, and it's variation through the solar cycle.
This work has been supported by NASA grants NAG5-3077 and NAG5-8878.