Innovative Spectroheliograph

Abstract

The current article presents an innovative design of a spectroheliograph instrument developed at the Space Research and Technology Institute – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Currently, the device is being built in prototype form and is to enter testing phase soon.

The innovation is in the automation and computer control of the spectroheliograph apparatus invented in 1892 and in use since for observing and photographing the solar disk in narrowband light from near infrared to ultraviolet light wavelengths. The innovation disclosed in this paper involves computer control and automation of all functions inherent to spectroheliograph instruments along with other operations of the coupled telescope. The novel device also performs all image gathering and processing procedures using the same computer unit thus minimizing its cost, size and power consumption. Our instrument has motorized control of all possible adjustment points, control of a sunscreen protecting the optical system, image generation and processing, and performs automated observations in different absorption lines (different wavelengths) consecutively by a preset plan.