TY - GEN
T1 - The scientific case for spectropolarimetry from space
T2 - 39th ESLAB Symposium: Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2020
AU - Trujillo Bueno, J.
AU - Landi Degl'Innocenti, E.
AU - Casini, R.
AU - Pillet, V. Martínez
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - One of the greatest future challenges in cosmic physics is the empirical investigation of the magnetic field vector in a variety of astrophysical plasmas, including the solar corona. The chances of attaining this goal would be dramatically increased if we could carry out spectropolarimetric observations from space in order to measure the polarization signals that scattering processes induce in permitted UV/EUV spectral lines, such as those of the Lyman series of hydrogen. The physical interpretation of this type of observations would allow us to infer the magnetic field vector via the Hanle effect, which consists in the modification of scattering polarization signals due to the presence of a magnetic field. In particular, the Hanle effect either in forward scattering or at 90° scattering is a unique and powerful tool for the "measurement" of magnetic fields in the solar transition region and corona. Here we highlight the great diagnostic potential of spectropolarimetry and argue that ESA should take advantage of the present European leadership in this field to open this new diagnostic window on the Universe.
AB - One of the greatest future challenges in cosmic physics is the empirical investigation of the magnetic field vector in a variety of astrophysical plasmas, including the solar corona. The chances of attaining this goal would be dramatically increased if we could carry out spectropolarimetric observations from space in order to measure the polarization signals that scattering processes induce in permitted UV/EUV spectral lines, such as those of the Lyman series of hydrogen. The physical interpretation of this type of observations would allow us to infer the magnetic field vector via the Hanle effect, which consists in the modification of scattering polarization signals due to the presence of a magnetic field. In particular, the Hanle effect either in forward scattering or at 90° scattering is a unique and powerful tool for the "measurement" of magnetic fields in the solar transition region and corona. Here we highlight the great diagnostic potential of spectropolarimetry and argue that ESA should take advantage of the present European leadership in this field to open this new diagnostic window on the Universe.
KW - Astrophysical Plasmas: magnetic fields
KW - Polarization
KW - Scattering
KW - Stars: magnetic fields
KW - Sun: magnetic fields
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/33645707282
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:33645707282
SN - 9290928999
SN - 9789290928997
T3 - European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
SP - 203
EP - 212
BT - Proceedings of the 39th ESLAB Symposium
Y2 - 19 April 2005 through 21 April 2005
ER -