HMI ring diagram analysis I. the processing pipeline

Abstract

The combination of high resolution, spatial coverage, and continuity of photospheric Doppler and other data from HMI has allowed us to embark on a program of systematic exploration of solar subsurface flows and thermal structure variations using the technique of ring-diagram analysis on an unprecedented scale. Two ring-diagrams pipelines exist: a synoptic program aimed at mapping the evolution of the circulation and local subsurface flows on a global scale from the surface to depths of down to 0.9Rsun, and a targeted program designed to provide a comprehensive view of the thermal structure anomalies associated with loci of magnetic activity over the course of their life cycles. In this paper we describe the analysis techniques implemented in the processing pipelines. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.