Ground solar radius survey in view of microsatellite missions

Abstract

For the last 25 years, ground time series of the solar radius have shown (different) apparent variations according to different instruments. The origin of these variations may search in the observer, the instrument, the atmosphere and up to the sun. Ground instruments are automated to reduce the “personnal equation” and place that origin in the atmosphere and/or in the sun. Astrometric satellites scheduled at the end of this decade will perform non ambiguous diameter measurements. A survey of the Solar radius has been initiated in 1975 by Francis Laclare, at the Calern site of the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, which have been chosen for hosting the ground segment of the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) Microsatellite PICARD mission, to be launched in 2008. This reference series was obtained by Visual observations of the Sun, with a Solar Astrolabe whose metrological character has to be stressed. Considering the Visual series results, we have compared the solar diameter variations with the solar activity cycle, and we found an opposite phase, for the whole series and at the different times of the cycles. Parallel to that series, CCD measurements were made with the same instrument and gave results which are perfectly blended together, within our quoted uncertainties. Located next to the Solar Astrolabe, DORAYSOL (Définition et Observation du Rayon Solaire) is a second generation instrument, which keeps the major features of the design of its predecessor and, which is designed to increase the number of CCD measurements and to be eventually automated. Since 1999, both series overlap correctly within our quoted uncertainties. Some information is added to explain the pattern of the PICARD mission ground segment, next to those instruments at Calern Observatory, as well as the international network intended to carry out the Sun’s Radius ground survey ( R2S3: Réseau de Suivi au Sol du Rayon Solaire).