The simulation of realistic BiSON-like helioseismic data

Abstract

When simulating full-disc helioseismic data, instrumental noise has traditionally been treated as time-independent. However, in reality, instrumental noise will often vary to some degree over time due to line of sight velocity variations and possibly degrading hardware. Here we present a new technique for simulating Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON) helioseismic data with a more realistic analogue for instrumental noise. This is achieved by simulating the potassium solar Fraunhoffer line as observed by the BiSON instruments. Intensity measurements in the red and blue wing of the line can then be simulated and appropriate time-dependent instrumental noise can be added. The simulated time-series can then be formed in the same way as with real data. Here we present the simulation method and the first generation of a BiSON-like instrumental noise time series.