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Understanding Solar Eruptions with SDO/HMI Measuring Photospheric Flows, Testing Models, and Steps Towards Forecasting Solar EruptionsThe Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is carrying the first full-disk imaging vector magnetograph, the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), into an inclined geosynchronous orbit. This magnetograph will provide nearly continuous measurements of photospheric vector magnetic fields at cadences of 90 seconds to 12 minutes with 1" resolution, precise pointing, and unfettered by atmospheric seeing. The enormous data stream of 1.5 Terabytes per day from SAO will provide an unprecedented opportunity to understand the mysteries of solar eruptions. These ground-breaking observations will permit the application of a new technique, the differential affine velocity estimator for vector magnetograms (DAVE4VM), to measure photospheric plasma flows in active regions. These measurements will permit, for the first time, accurate assessments of the coronal free energy available for driving CMEs and flares. The details of photospheric plasma flows, particularly along magnetic neutral-lines, are critical to testing models for initiating coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and flares. Assimilating flows and fields into state-of-the art 3D MHD simulations that model the highly stratified solar atmosphere from the convection zone to the corona represents the next step towards achieving NASA's Living with a Star forecasting goals of predicting "when a solar eruption leading to a CME will occur." Our presentation will describe these major science and predictive advances that will be delivered by SDO/HMI.
Document ID
20100021379
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Schuck, Peter W.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Linton, M.
(Naval Research Lab. United States)
Muglach, K.
(Artep, Inc. Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hoeksema, T.
(Stanford Univ. CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
May 25, 2010
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: 216th American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting
Location: Miami, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: May 24, 2010
End Date: May 27, 2010
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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