The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope

High spatial resolution observation of solar prominence is an important observation subject of the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST). While the current level of observation and image reconstruction technologies for solar prominences are advanced, a significant challenge remains in achieving high-pre...

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Main Authors: Yunfang Cai, Yongyuan Xiang, Kaifan Ji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2024-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9006
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author Yunfang Cai
Yongyuan Xiang
Kaifan Ji
author_facet Yunfang Cai
Yongyuan Xiang
Kaifan Ji
author_sort Yunfang Cai
collection DOAJ
description High spatial resolution observation of solar prominence is an important observation subject of the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST). While the current level of observation and image reconstruction technologies for solar prominences are advanced, a significant challenge remains in achieving high-precision alignment among high-resolution prominence images observed at different times and different off-bands. Existing alignment approaches either become ineffective or yield low accuracy, and always require manual intervention during the alignment. These limitations are largely due to the stronger edge gradient and lower structural contrast of the prominence images compared with the solar surface ones. In response to this challenge, our study aims to develop an effective and robust algorithm for high-precision alignment of the prominence images. We thoroughly consider the unique structural characteristics of prominence images and the specific application conditions of various alignment algorithms. Consequently, we propose a comprehensive alignment method that incorporates the optical flow field of the solar surface, the gradient of the solar edge, and the cross-correlation within the solar prominence region. This method is designed to accurately determine the movement displacements among the prominence images. Our results demonstrate that this alignment method excels in both accuracy and robustness, making it well-suited for handling the diverse postures of solar prominence images captured by the NVST.
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spelling doaj-art-c9167215cd5d43c8becb51add7564b8f2025-08-20T02:34:20ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572024-01-01977218610.3847/1538-4357/ad9006The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar TelescopeYunfang Cai0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4956-4320Yongyuan Xiang1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5261-6523Kaifan Ji2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8950-3875Yunnan Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming Yunnan 650216, People’s Republic of China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Solar Physics and Space Science , Kunming Yunnan 650216, People’s Republic of ChinaYunnan Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming Yunnan 650216, People’s Republic of China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Solar Physics and Space Science , Kunming Yunnan 650216, People’s Republic of ChinaYunnan Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming Yunnan 650216, People’s Republic of ChinaHigh spatial resolution observation of solar prominence is an important observation subject of the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST). While the current level of observation and image reconstruction technologies for solar prominences are advanced, a significant challenge remains in achieving high-precision alignment among high-resolution prominence images observed at different times and different off-bands. Existing alignment approaches either become ineffective or yield low accuracy, and always require manual intervention during the alignment. These limitations are largely due to the stronger edge gradient and lower structural contrast of the prominence images compared with the solar surface ones. In response to this challenge, our study aims to develop an effective and robust algorithm for high-precision alignment of the prominence images. We thoroughly consider the unique structural characteristics of prominence images and the specific application conditions of various alignment algorithms. Consequently, we propose a comprehensive alignment method that incorporates the optical flow field of the solar surface, the gradient of the solar edge, and the cross-correlation within the solar prominence region. This method is designed to accurately determine the movement displacements among the prominence images. Our results demonstrate that this alignment method excels in both accuracy and robustness, making it well-suited for handling the diverse postures of solar prominence images captured by the NVST.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9006Astronomy data reductionSolar chromosphereSolar prominences
spellingShingle Yunfang Cai
Yongyuan Xiang
Kaifan Ji
The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope
The Astrophysical Journal
Astronomy data reduction
Solar chromosphere
Solar prominences
title The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope
title_full The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope
title_fullStr The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope
title_full_unstemmed The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope
title_short The Alignment of High-resolution Solar Prominence Images Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope
title_sort alignment of high resolution solar prominence images observed by the new vacuum solar telescope
topic Astronomy data reduction
Solar chromosphere
Solar prominences
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9006
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