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| themis:history [2024/12/05 12:41] – etienne | themis:history [2024/12/16 16:23] (current) – etienne | ||
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| The Origins and Development of the THEMIS (Télescope Héliographique pour l’Étude du Magnétisme et des Instabilités Solaires) solar telescope encompass a rich history of international collaboration, | The Origins and Development of the THEMIS (Télescope Héliographique pour l’Étude du Magnétisme et des Instabilités Solaires) solar telescope encompass a rich history of international collaboration, | ||
| - | ==== Scientific motivation, conceptualization (1970' | + | ==== Scientific motivation, conceptualization (1970's) ==== |
| In the latter half of the 20th century, solar physicists recognized that the Sun's magnetic field plays a crucial role in various solar phenomena, including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. However, understanding the intricate details of the Sun's magnetic field required advanced observational tools capable of high-resolution measurements. | In the latter half of the 20th century, solar physicists recognized that the Sun's magnetic field plays a crucial role in various solar phenomena, including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. However, understanding the intricate details of the Sun's magnetic field required advanced observational tools capable of high-resolution measurements. | ||
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| was presented for the first time to the Institut National d’Astronomie et de Géophysique (predecessor of INSU) in 1975. | was presented for the first time to the Institut National d’Astronomie et de Géophysique (predecessor of INSU) in 1975. | ||
| - | === Site selection (1970' | + | ==== Site selection (1970's) ==== |
| The site selection for THEMIS was part of a larger project to search for optimal location for international solar observations. The | The site selection for THEMIS was part of a larger project to search for optimal location for international solar observations. The | ||
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| - | === Telescope design & Instrumentation Development (1980' | + | ==== Telescope design & Instrumentation Development (1980's) ==== |
| The design phase, directed by Jean Rayrole, focused on creating a telescope optimized for high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations. Key considerations included: | The design phase, directed by Jean Rayrole, focused on creating a telescope optimized for high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations. Key considerations included: | ||
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| High-precision spectropolarimeters were designed to analyze the polarization states of light across different wavelengths, | High-precision spectropolarimeters were designed to analyze the polarization states of light across different wavelengths, | ||
| * **a spectrograph, | * **a spectrograph, | ||
| - | * **a spectro-imager, | + | * **a spectro-imager, |
| * **an imaging spectrometer, | * **an imaging spectrometer, | ||
| - | ==== Construction==== | + | ==== Construction |
| Securing adequate funding was a critical step in the development of THEMIS. The project received financial backing from national science agencies of the participating countries, as well as from European Union research funds aimed at fostering international scientific collaborations. Each partner country committed a portion of the budget, covering aspects such as construction, | Securing adequate funding was a critical step in the development of THEMIS. The project received financial backing from national science agencies of the participating countries, as well as from European Union research funds aimed at fostering international scientific collaborations. Each partner country committed a portion of the budget, covering aspects such as construction, | ||
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| * France: The Institut National des Sciences de l' | * France: The Institut National des Sciences de l' | ||
| * Italy: The Instituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), part of CNR contributed significant expertise in solar physics and instrumentation. | * Italy: The Instituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), part of CNR contributed significant expertise in solar physics and instrumentation. | ||
| - | * Spain: | + | * Spain: |
| An agreement was signed between the French CNRS and the Italian CNR. The construction cost of 87.5 million francs was covered with 80% financed by the CNRS and 20% by the CNR. The same funding distribution applies to the operation of the instrument. Observation time is allocated as follows: 60% for the French, 15% for the Italians, 20% for the Spanish, and 5% for " | An agreement was signed between the French CNRS and the Italian CNR. The construction cost of 87.5 million francs was covered with 80% financed by the CNRS and 20% by the CNR. The same funding distribution applies to the operation of the instrument. Observation time is allocated as follows: 60% for the French, 15% for the Italians, 20% for the Spanish, and 5% for " | ||
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| Construction began in the early 1990s, involving meticulous planning and execution to assemble the telescope' | Construction began in the early 1990s, involving meticulous planning and execution to assemble the telescope' | ||
| - | ===Commissioning and early operations=== | + | ==== Commissioning, first light and first phase of exploitation (1996-XXX) ==== |
| Before full-scale operations commenced, extensive testing was conducted to verify the telescope' | Before full-scale operations commenced, extensive testing was conducted to verify the telescope' | ||
| - | |||
| - | ===First light and early scientific results=== | ||
| THEMIS received its first light on March 16, 1996, and was inaugurated that same year by the King and Queen of Spain, along with French and Italian authorities. | THEMIS received its first light on March 16, 1996, and was inaugurated that same year by the King and Queen of Spain, along with French and Italian authorities. | ||
| - | === Evolution and enhancements | + | ==== Evolution and redesign (2010' |
| + | xxx | ||
| Over the years, THEMIS has undergone several upgrades to enhance its capabilities: | Over the years, THEMIS has undergone several upgrades to enhance its capabilities: | ||
| * **[[themis: | * **[[themis: | ||
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| * Planetary observations: | * Planetary observations: | ||
| - | === New life for the THEMIS telescope ==== | + | |
| - | xxxxx | + | |
| + | ==== New life for the THEMIS telescope | ||
| Despite advancements in space-based solar observatories, | Despite advancements in space-based solar observatories, | ||
