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M. Levay, T. Berger, W. Rosenberg, T. Tarbell, A. Title (LMSAL), T. Bogdan, D. Elmore, B. Lites (HAO)
The primary goal of the Solar-B mission is to understand the physical processes responsible for dynamics and heating of the outer solar atmosphere. The Focal Plane Package (FPP) instrument for the 50-cm Solar Optical Telescope provides precise measurements of the vector magnetic field, vertical and horizontal flows, and thermal conditions in the photosphere and low chromosphere with spatial resolution as high as 0.16 arcsec and a field-of-view as large as 320 x 160 arcsec. The FPP can measure continuously and at high cadence to follow the evolution of solar features. The FPP consists of broad (~8 Å) and narrow (~100 mÅ) filters and a spectro-polarimeter that provides precise polarimetry with high spectral resolution (~25 mÅ). A correlation tracker and tip-tilt mirror ensure that all focal planes are stable to better than 0.01 arcsec. A major design consideration of the FPP is cooperative science operations with the other Solar-B instruments. Solar-B is a Japanese mission with US and UK partners; S. Tsuneta is the PI of the Solar Optical Telescope and A. Title the US PI of the FPP. It is scheduled to launch in Japanese FY 2004.
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