Revised Hinode Telemetry Allocations

Following a change to the SOT operating mode, a revised telemetry allocation was agreed by the SWG for Hinode normal mode operation:

For SP polar observations, the disk mode allocation will be used. However it is possible for an observer to request the higher limb mode allocation for disk observations that would benefit from additional telemetry.

Examples of ways to use the additional EIS telemetry allocation are:

• HOP 130: EIS is able to build up images of the entire solar disk by executing 40" slot scans at a number of positions on the Sun. This “mosaic” concept can also be used to make partial or full-disk observations using the 1" and 2" slits in order to construct large scale maps of flows, density, line widths, and composition.
• Studies with extensive line lists, long exposure times, and large FOVs can be run multiple times as the selected target crosses the solar disk. Active region studies such as #198 can be used to make slit observations covering temperature range of 0.25 to 2.5 MK with 460" x 384" FOV and 40 s exposures.
• Long exposure (60s) studies such as #513 can be used for coronal hole observations. This study covers a large FoV (492" x 512") using the 2" slit with 4" steps. The additional available telemetry allows large coronal holes e.g. covering a hemisphere, to be observed.
• Full CCD studies using all lines can be used for selected targets such as active regions, coronal holes, quiet sun and solar limb.

These are just a few examples of how to use the increased EIS telemetry allocation which has significantly extended the instrument capability. The EIS team welcomes inquiries from the solar community regarding the exploitation of the additional telemetry allocation. Team members are happy to provide guidance on the selection and use of appropriate studies to exploit the new capability. Please feel free to consult the team regarding the application of the EIS instrument to particular solar observations. Contacts are:

Len Culhane (j.culhane(at)ucl.ac.uk)   for Europe/UK
John Mariska (jtmariska(at)gmail.com)   for USA
Tetsuya Watanabe (watanabe(at)uvlab.mtk.nao.ac.jp)   for Japan

For the Hinode mission as a whole, the possibility of operating in “focussed mode”, during which commands are uploaded to the spacecraft at weekly rather that two or three day intervals, allows long term studies of evolution in selected targets e.g. coronal hole boundaries, quiet sun network. It is important to make use of this mode as we approach solar minimum.

Last Revised: 14-Feb-2020

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