The Solar Activity Monitoring Network
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
| Description | This funding allowed us to develop and install a new instrument that can measure the magnetic field of the sun by isolating a very specific colour associated with potassium that is present in the solar atmosphere. This is important because measuring how the solar magnetic field changes allows us to better understand and model space weather. Space weather commonly causes aurora (the Northern lights), but strong space weather can also damage satellites, electricity grids and electronics on the ground, and providing early warning of these events could prevent billions of pounds of damage to UK infrastructure. The instrument was installed at a site operated by our collaborators in Hungary and has been operating now for a few years. |
| Exploitation Route | The initial instrument that was developed is small and simple enough to enable 24h robotic monitoring of the solar magnetic field, if a network of these systems could be deployed across the globe. This would require industrial engagement to ruggedise the prototype and build the 30-40 systems (a few per time zone to ensure at least one system would avoid clouds) needed to provide the full monitor. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | The instrument developed under this grant was the inaugural instrument installed at a new solar observatory in Hungary. This has been used to engage local policy makers in Hungary in the operation, funding and outputs from this research. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural |
| Description | Enabling Technology Program |
| Amount | £252,893 (GBP) |
| Organisation | UK Space Agency |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Title | SAMNET Observatory control and data capture software |
| Description | This software controls the SAMNET prototype instrument and observatory, providing all status and monitoring functionality needed for remote operation of the telescope (see URL below). The software also automates data capture for subsequent analysis. |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | This software has been used to train a number of users (mainly students) on the operation of the SAMNET prototype, and preparing future systems for automated operation. |
| URL | http://elvira.cfai.dur.ac.uk/samnet/live/ |
| Title | SAMNET prototype |
| Description | This is a prototype instrument that monitors the line-of-sight magentic field across the full solar disk. The instrument has been installed in the Gyula Bay Zoltan Solar Observatory in Hungary. |
| Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The instrument is still being commissioned at the observatory, and work is ongoing on the data analysis software. |
| URL | http://elvira.cfai.dur.ac.uk/samnet/live/ |