Synoptic Solar Velocity and Magnetic Field Observations Using the 150-Foot Solar Tower on Mount Wilson

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The sun is frequently thought of as a star in hydrostatic equilibrium, which means that the inward force of gravity is balanced everywhere by the outward force of pressure. The assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium is, however, just a first-order approximation, particularly in its surface layers. There, convection, sunspots cycles, magnetic fields, energetic outbursts (e.g., flares) reveal a rather dynamic, cyclic, as well as chaotic behavior. This proposal focuses on continuing with observations of the sun's global surface velocity fields and magnetic fields that have been in progress for the past 21 years. The principal investigator will also interpret the observations, which is difficult and controversial at present. The contribution of this work, about which there is no controversy, is that a priceless data base of solar surface activity, already two decades in the making, will be extended.