Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Solar Feature Identification using Contrasts and Contiguity

  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We present a new technique for the rapid, automatic identification of solar features on full-disk photometric images. The technique permits the detection of features whose contrasts are only slightly above the noise level. Contrast and contiguity criteria are used to identify pixels belonging to an individual feature. The criteria used are simple and objective, and do not require one to guess at the contrast distribution of the features. Comparison of Ca ii K images with magnetograms shows excellent agreement between the identified features and observed magnetic features. In addition, we can now reliably identify faculae on continuum images. Since this technique can be rapidly applied to a large set of images, it allows us to compile a database of the physical and photometric properties of individual solar features.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahern, S. and Chapman, G. A.: 2000, Solar Phys. 191, 71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, G. A., Cookson, A. M., and Dobias, J. J.: 1997, Astrophys. J. 482, 541.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, K. L. and White, O. R.: 1999, Astrophys. J. 515, 812.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pap, J., Turmon, M., Mukhtar, S. Bogart, R., Ulrich, R., Fröhlich, C., and Wehrli, Ch.: 1997, Proc. 31st ESLAB Synp., Correlated Phenomena at the Sun, in the Heliosphere, and in Geospace, ESA SP-415, European Space Agency, Noordwijk, p. 477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabin, D. M., DeVore, C. R., Sheeley, N. R., Harvey, K. L., and Hoeksema, J. T.: 1991, in A. N. Cox, W. C. Livingston, and M. S. Matthews (eds.), Solar Interior and Atmosphere, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, p. 781.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinegger, M., Vázquez, M., Bonet, J. A., and Brandt, P. N.: 1996, Astrophys. J. 461, 478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton, S. R. and Preminger, D. G.: 1999, Astrophys. J. 514, 959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton, S. R., Chapman, G. A., Cookson, A. M., Dobias, J. J., and Preminger, D. G.: 1998, Solar Phys. 179, 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, O. R., Fox, P. A., Meisner, R., Rast, M. P., Yasukawa, E., Koon, D., Rice, C., Lin, H., Kuhn, J., and Coulter, R.: 2000, Space Sci. Rev. 94, 75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worden, J. R., White, O. R., and Woods, T. N.: 1998, Astrophys. J. 496, 998.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. San Fernando Observatory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA, 91330-8268, U.S.A.

    Dora G. Preminger, Stephen R. Walton & Gary A. Chapman

Authors
  1. Dora G. Preminger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stephen R. Walton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gary A. Chapman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Preminger, D.G., Walton, S.R. & Chapman, G.A. Solar Feature Identification using Contrasts and Contiguity. Solar Physics 202, 53–62 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011896413891

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011896413891

Keywords

Search

Navigation