Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization and Correction of the Scattering Background Produced by Dust on the Objective Lens of the Lijiang 10-cm Coronagraph

  • Research
  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Scattered light from the objective lens, directly exposed to the intense sunlight, is a dominant source of stray light in internally occulted coronagraphs. The variable stray light, such as the scatter from dust on the objective lens, can produce varying scattering backgrounds in coronal images, significantly impacting image quality and data analysis. Using data acquired by the Lijiang 10-cm Coronagraph, the quantitative relationship between the distribution of dust on the objective lens and the resulting scattering background is analyzed. Two empirical models for the scattering background are derived, and used to correct the raw coronal data. The second model, which depends on three parameters and performs better, shows that the scattering-background distribution varies with angle, weakens with increasing height, and enhances with increasing dust level on the objective lens. Moreover, we find that the dust on the center of the objective lens can contribute more significantly to the scattering background than on the edge. This study not only quantitatively confirms the significant impact of the stray light produced by dust on the objective lens of the coronagraph, but also corrects the coronal data with this stray light for the first time. Correcting for dust-scattered light is crucial for the high-precision calibration of ground-based coronagraph data, enabling a more accurate analysis of coronal structures. Furthermore, our model is envisioned to support the provision of reliable observational data for future routine coronal magnetic-field measurements using ground-based coronagraphs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the authors, upon reasonable request.

References

  • Aliev, A.K., Guseva, S.A., Tlatov, A.G.: 2017, Results of spectral corona observations in solar activity Cycles 17 – 24. Geomagn. Aeron. 57, 798. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Bai, X., Tian, H., Li, W., Chen, F., Yang, Z., Yang, Y.: 2023b, Solar coronal magnetic field measurements using spectral lines available in Hinode/EIS observations: strong and weak field techniques and temperature diagnostics. Mon. Not. Roy. Astron. Soc. 521, 1479. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Li, W., Tian, H., Bai, X., Hutton, R., Brage, T.: 2023a, Application of a magnetic-field-induced transition in Fe X to solar and stellar coronal magnetic field measurements. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 23, 022001. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dittman, M.G.: 2002, Contamination scatter functions for stray-light analysis. In: Chen, P.T., Uy, O.M. (eds.) Optical System Contamination: Effects, Measurements, and Control VII, SPIE Conf. Ser. 4774, 99. DOI. ADS.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, D., Wu, Z., Larson, B., Nelson, P.G., Oakley, P., Sewell, S., Tomczyk, S.: 2016, The COSMO coronagraph optical design and stray light analysis. In: Hall, H.J., Gilmozzi, R., Marshall, H.K. (eds.) Ground-Based and Airborne Telescopes VI, SPIE Conf. Ser. 9906, 990654. DOI. ADS.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Habbal, S.R., Druckmüller, M., Morgan, H., Daw, A., Johnson, J., Ding, A., Arndt, M., Esser, R., Rušin, V., Scholl, I.: 2010, Mapping the distribution of electron temperature and Fe charge states in the corona with total solar eclipse observations. Astrophys. J. 708, 1650. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hori, K., Ichimoto, K., Sakurai, T.: 2007, Flare-associated oscillations in coronal multiple-loops observed with the Norikura green-line imaging system. In: Shibata, K., Nagata, S., Sakurai, T. (eds.) New Solar Physics with Solar-B Mission, Astron. Soc. Pac. Conf. Ser. 369, 213. ADS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ichimoto, K., Noguchi, M., Tanaka, N., Kumagai, K., Shinoda, K., Nishino, T., Fukuda, T., Sakurai, T., Takeyama, N.: 1999, A new imaging system of the corona at Norikura. Publ. Astron. Soc. Japan 51, 383. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lemen, J.R., Title, A.M., Akin, D.J., Boerner, P.F., Chou, C., Drake, J.F., Duncan, D.W., Edwards, C.G., Friedlaender, F.M., Heyman, G.F., Hurlburt, N.E., Katz, N.L., Kushner, G.D., Levay, M., Lindgren, R.W., Mathur, D.P., McFeaters, E.L., Mitchell, S., Rehse, R.A., Schrijver, C.J., Springer, L.A., Stern, R.A., Tarbell, T.D., Wuelser, J.-P., Wolfson, C.J., Yanari, C., Bookbinder, J.A., Cheimets, P.N., Caldwell, D., Deluca, E.E., Gates, R., Golub, L., Park, S., Podgorski, W.A., Bush, R.I., Scherrer, P.H., Gummin, M.A., Smith, P., Auker, G., Jerram, P., Pool, P., Soufli, R., Windt, D.L., Beardsley, S., Clapp, M., Lang, J., Waltham, N.: 2012, The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Solar Phys. 275, 17. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., Song, T., Liang, H., Sha, F., Yu, J., Dun, J.: 2023, Study of the intensity distribution of the green line in the inner corona. Acta Astron. Sin. DOI.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, Y., Qu, Z.Q., Chen, Y.J., Zhong, Y., Song, Z.M., Li, S.Y.: 2021, Registration and imaging polarimetry of the Fe 6374 Å red coronal line during the 2017 total solar eclipse. Mon. Not. Roy. Astron. Soc. 503, 5715. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y.: 2009, Coronal magnetic fields inferred from IR wavelength and comparison with EUV observations. Ann. Geophys. 27, 2771. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y.: 2014, The first coronagraph in China settled in Lijiang, Yunnan. Amateur. Astronomer. (China) 1, 60. ADS.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Lin, H.: 2008, Observational test of coronal magnetic field models. I. Comparison with potential field model. Astrophys. J. 680, 1496. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Lin, H., Kuhn, J.: 2010, Coronal magnetic fields from the inversion of linear polarization measurements. In: Kosovichev, A.G., Andrei, A.H., Rozelot, J.-P. (eds.) Solar and Stellar Variability: Impact on Earth and Planets, IAU Symp. 264, 96. DOI. ADS.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Zhang, X.: 2018, The coronal green line monitoring: a traditional but powerful tool for coronal physics. IAU Symp. 340, 169. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Li, X., Zhang, X., Song, T., Wang, J., Zhao, M., Xia, L., Song, Q.: 2018, Operation of the astronomical monitoring stations at Mt. Wumingshan. In: Peck, A.B., Seaman, R.L., Benn, C.R. (eds.) Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VII, Proc. SPIE 10704, id. 1070422. DOI.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lyot, B.: 1933, The study of the solar corona without an eclipse (with Plate V). J. Roy. Astron. Soc. Can. 27, 265. ADS.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyot, B.: 1939, The study of the solar corona and prominences without eclipses (George Darwin Lecture, 1939). Mon. Not. Roy. Astron. Soc. 99, 580. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Marsch, E., Wiegelmann, T., Xia, L.D.: 2004, Coronal plasma flows and magnetic fields in solar active regions. Combined observations from SOHO and NSO/Kitt Peak. Astron. Astrophys. 428, 629. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Otsu, N.: 1979, A threshold selection method from gray-level histograms. IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern. 9, 62. DOI.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakurai, T., Irie, M., Imai, H., Miyazaki, H., Sykora, J.: 1999, Emission line intensities of the solar corona and sky brightness observed at Norikura: 1950 – 1997. Tokyo Tenmondai Nenpo 5, 121. ADS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakurai, T., Ichimoto, K., Raju, K.P., Singh, J.: 2002, Spectroscopic observation of coronal waves. Solar Phys. 209, 265. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sha, F., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., Song, T., Zhang, H., Wang, Y., Sun, M.: 2023, Stray light by dust on objective surface based on Lijiang 10 cm coronagraph. Acta Photonica Sin. 52, 52213. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Spyak, P.R., Wolfe, W.L.: 1992, Scatter from particulate-contaminated mirrors. Part 3: theory and experiment for dust and lambda; =10.6 mu m. Opt. Eng. 31, 1764. DOI.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Tian, H., Harra, L., Baker, D., Brooks, D.H., Xia, L.: 2021, Upflows in the upper solar atmosphere. Solar Phys. 296, 47. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Xia, L.D., Marsch, E., Curdt, W.: 2003, On the outflow in an equatorial coronal hole. Astron. Astrophys. 399, L5. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Xin, Y.-X., Bai, J.-M., Lun, B.-L., Fan, Y.-F., Wang, C.-J., Liu, X.-W., Yu, X.-G., Ye, K., Song, T.-F., Chang, L., He, S.-S., Mao, J.-R., Xu, L., Xiong, D.-R., Zhang, X.-L., Wang, J.-G., Ding, X., Feng, H.-C., Liu, X.-K., Huang, Y., Chen, B.-Q.: 2020, Astronomical site monitoring system at Lijiang observatory. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 20, 149. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z., Bethge, C., Tian, H., Tomczyk, S., Morton, R., Del Zanna, G., McIntosh, S.W., Karak, B.B., Gibson, S., Samanta, T., He, J., Chen, Y., Wang, L.: 2020, Global maps of the magnetic field in the solar corona. Science 369, 694. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X.-F., Liu, Y., Zhao, M.-Y., Liu, J.-H., Elmhamdi, A., Song, T.-F., Li, Z.-H., Li, H.-B., Sha, F.-Y., Wang, J.-X., Li, X.-B., Shen, Y.-D., Liu, S.-Q., Liang, H.-F., Al-Shammari, R.M.: 2022a, Comparison of the coronal green-line intensities with the EUV measurements from SDO/AIA. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 22, 075012. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X.-F., Liu, Y., Zhao, M.-Y., Song, T.-F., Wang, J.-X., Li, X.-B., Li, Z.-H.: 2022b, On the relation between coronal green line brightness and magnetic fields intensity. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 22, 075007. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, M.Y., Liu, Y., Elmhamdi, A., Kordi, A.S., Zhang, X.F., Song, T.F., Tian, Z.J.: 2018, Conditions for coronal observations at the Lijiang Observatory in 2011. Solar Phys. 293, 1. DOI. ADS.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank Prof. T. Sakurai-san and the NAOJ team for the 10 cm coronagraph collaboration. This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under grants (12173086, 11873090, 12373063, 11533009), the Light of West China program of CAS and Yunnan Key Laboratory of the Solar Physics and Space Science [202205AG070009], and the National Key R&D Program of China No. 2022YFF0503800. We acknowledge the data resources from the National Space Science Data Center, National Science & Technology Infrastructure of China (http://www.nssdc.ac.cn).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yunnan Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China

    Feiyang Sha, Yu Liu, Xuefei Zhang & Tengfei Song

  2. School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China

    Feiyang Sha & Yu Liu

  3. Schoold of Astronomy and Space Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Feiyang Sha & Yu Liu

Authors
  1. Feiyang Sha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yu Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xuefei Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tengfei Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Yu Liu and Xuefei Zhang contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-corresponding authors. Feiyang Sha, Xuefei Zhang, and Tengfei Song conducted the experiments. Feiyang Sha, Yu Liu, and Xuefei Zhang wrote the main manuscript text. Feiyang Sha prepared the figures. All authors reviewed the manuscript. Yu Liu supervised this work and Xuefei Zhang partly assisted the assembly and guidance of the instruments in Lijiang Observatory.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yu Liu or Xuefei Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sha, F., Liu, Y., Zhang, X. et al. Characterization and Correction of the Scattering Background Produced by Dust on the Objective Lens of the Lijiang 10-cm Coronagraph. Sol Phys 298, 139 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-023-02233-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-023-02233-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation