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A new technique for the calculation and 3D visualisation of magnetic complexities on solar satellite images

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Abstract

In this paper, we introduce two novel models for processing real-life satellite images to quantify and then visualise their magnetic structures in 3D. We believe this multidisciplinary work is a real convergence between image processing, 3D visualisation and solar physics. The first model aims to calculate the value of the magnetic complexity in active regions and the solar disk. A series of experiments are carried out using this model and a relationship has been indentified between the calculated magnetic complexity values and solar flare events. The second model aims to visualise the calculated magnetic complexities in 3D colour maps in order to identify the locations of eruptive regions on the Sun. Both models demonstrate promising results and they can be potentially used in the fields of solar imaging, space weather and solar flare prediction and forecasting.

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Abbreviations

MDI:

Michelson Doppler Imager

SOHO:

Solar and Heliospheric Observatory

ESA:

European Space Agency

NASA:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NGDC:

National Geophysical Data Center

GIF:

Graphic Interchange Format

NOAA:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

OpenGL:

Open Graphics Library

ASAP:

Automated Solar Activity Prediction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computing, Informatics and Media, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK

    O. W. Ahmed, R. Qahwaji, T. Colak & S. Ipson

  2. LPC2E, University of Orléans, 3A Av. de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071, Orleans Cedex 2, France

    T. Dudok De Wit

Authors
  1. O. W. Ahmed
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  2. R. Qahwaji
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  3. T. Colak
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  4. T. Dudok De Wit
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  5. S. Ipson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to O. W. Ahmed.

Additional information

Original work presented in CyberWorlds 2009 Conference.

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Ahmed, O.W., Qahwaji, R., Colak, T. et al. A new technique for the calculation and 3D visualisation of magnetic complexities on solar satellite images. Vis Comput 26, 385–395 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-010-0418-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-010-0418-1

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