Projects

Currently our main project is funded by the Austrian FWF and has the title:
The Interaction of the Solar Granulation with Small-Scale Solar Magnetic Fields
more information can be found below.






Abstract: FWF stand-alone project:
The Interaction of the Solar Granulation with Small-Scale Solar Magnetic Fields

The Sun is the most important object for astrophysical research due to two premises. First of all it is the only star on which scientists can study ongoing physical processes in detail and spatially resolved. Moreover, the Sun provides the energy and radiation needed by our society. Yet, it is not only a friendly source of energy, but also sets up the space environment in which we are living. Sometimes this space can be harsh and dangerous (especially for satellite infrastructure and manned space-flight). Therefore it is important to investigate these changing conditions of space for which the term - space weather – was coined.
For an improved understanding of the Sun and the caused space-weather effects in depth knowledge of the solar atmosphere, which creates the space-weather, is indispensable. The atmosphere is structured due to the presence of magnetic fields which themselves are influenced by the underlying convective energy transport. But on large scales the magnetic fields are vice-versa influencing the granulation and the energy transport itself. Up to now these effects of magneto-convection and the detailed interaction of magnetic fields and granulation – the visible pattern of the convection on the solar surface –, especially on small-scales, are nevertheless not studied in full detail.
Due to recent improvements in telescopes, as well as in numerical simulation schemes and computer technology, it is nowadays possible to produce highest spatially and temporally resolved data sets which allow such in depth studies of the interaction of the convection and small-scale magnetic fields and caused phenomena like magnetic bright points, waves, shocks, or solar tornadoes.

The current project aims on providing new insights into this topic and for that purpose will use highest resolved data sets of the best currently available telescopes (Hinode, Sunrise, GREGOR). For that purpose 2D and 3D segmentation algorithms for the granulation pattern will be developed and applied. Furthermore, identification routines for small-scale magnetic fields will be applied on the data sets and the results for the granulation will be compared and correlated with the results for the magnetic fields. The obtained knowledge will facilitate an improved knowledge of the magneto-convection and may be the funding base for understanding the energy build up in the solar atmosphere which is finally responsible via flares and CME´s for the space weather.

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