Philip Scherrer/HEPL/Stanford University

Detection of Emerging Active Regions and Forecast of Their Evolution and Activity

by Time-Distance Helioseismology.

We propose to develop time-distance helioseismology techniques for the application of

detecting emerging active regions before they become visible. Techniques will also be

developed for predicting active region growth, decay and maximum activity stage. The

work will include development of deep-focus time-distance data analysis methods for

imaging weak and rapidly evolving sound-speed structures and mass flows associated

with new emerging magnetic flux in the convection zone, monitoring and predicting the

growth and complexity of the subsurface structures, and also a search for the deep nests

of long-living complexes of activity ("active longitudes") and their relationship to the

global circulation of the Sun. An important goal of this investigation is to develop and

deliver software for deep-focus time-distance analysis and inversions of Solar-B and

SDO data.