CLIMSO ? What ? Who ? How ? How much ?

Term composed of Christian Latouche IMageur Solaire. (Solar IMagerie)

Mr. Christian Latouche is the chairman of FIDUCIAL group. He is this instrument’s patron and since 1999, of the Associated Observers.

CLIMSO is an astronomical observation instrument specialized in the study of the Sun. It makes multiple films of the sun , particularly the globality of the surface and crown

The aim of this instrument is to study the course of the dynamic phenomena in the solar atmosphere by taking into account the great heterogeneity in temperatures, densities, magnetic and electric properties of these areas. It thus acts as a total diagnostic of the solar activity (simultaneously cold crown, hot crown, surface events)... It provides images via the French ground solar data BASS2000.

CLIMSO has 4 optical ways to observe 6 different wavelengths :

• a coronagraph, C1, for the observation of the cold crown in Ha (656.28 nm) ;
• a coronagraph, C2, for the observation of the hot crown in He I (1083.0 nm), Fe XIII (1074.9 nm, 1079.8 nm, 1077.0 nm continuum inter lines) ;
• Coronado solar telescope L1 for the surface observation ("light ions") in Ha < 0,5 A (5 nm) (656.28 nm) ;
• Coronado solar telescope L2 for the surface observation ("heavy ions", magnetic grid activity) Ca II (K1v:393.36730 and K3:393.36863 nm) (line K of Fraunhofer) ;

Lastly, CLIMSO has a tutorial aspect in its technical specifications. It has been designed so that it can diffuse tutorial documents on the Sun and its on line images via terminals located at the museum of the Pic-du-Midi. The insertion of a key USB allows the documents to be copied on this peripheral.

Photo credit : Frédéric Delbord.

Integral patronage of FIDUCIAL . Budget of 200.000 €.

Jacques-Clair Noëns, Astronomer at Pic-du-Midi Observatory, Midi-Pyrénées OMP.

Plan National Soleil Terre français (P.N.S.T).

Sun batabase : BAse de données Solaire Sol 2000 BASS2000.

The coronography department of the OMP and the Association of the Associated Observers (OA) Pic-du-Midi from Bigorre.

Project launched spring 2004.

David Romeuf, Informaticien, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL).

Project started spring 2004.

Follow-up of the mechanical project,

Assembly, fitting,

technical coordinator at the Observatory

Organization of cable cars transport

Raphaël Jimenez (Jimmy), Technician at Pic-du-Midi Observatory.

Maurice Audejean, Barthélémy Camedescasse, Bernard Dalstein, Luc Dettwiller, Claude Frelat, Eric Geneix, Raphaël Jimenez, Serge Koutchmy, Jean-Louis Levieil, Jean-Noël Moreau, Jacques-Clair Noëns, Fabrice Portier-Fozzani, Serge Rochain, Sylvain Rondi, David Romeuf, Franck Vaissiere, Odile Wurmser.

Laurent Bernasconi and Jean-Paul Roux of CALA were also of good advice.

Emeric Le Floc’h (link), from Hawaii University had a capital role.

Claude Frelat, treasurer of the association of the Associated Observers, was remarkable in his role as construction economist.

Luc Dettwiller, optimization of the infra-red and visible coronagraphs.

"Les instruments d'optique, étude théorique, expérimentale et pratique", ISBN-13: 978-2729811822, ISBN-10: 2-7298-1182-6.

Eric Geneix (NGC optoméca), engineering and CAD (3D, 2D). Approximately 1700 parts (metal and carbon fibers). Approximately two man months.

Think tank : Eric Geneix, Jacques-Clair Noëns, Raphaël Jimenez, David Romeuf.

Information processing system and network design

Software development C++ / Qt / KDE under Linux Fedora Core 5

David Romeuf, Center of Data-processing Resources, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1. Approximately nine man months for development.

CLIMSO functions due to four main software multithreads developed in C++ with the bookshop of objects Qt  under KDE, Linux :

• ROBOA (C): robot software for CLIMSO, axes management (opening wheel, coils with filters from infra-red coronographe C2, decentring platinum X/Y for C2 compared to C1). This process is the server. It awaits the connection of a customer (the supervisor) by SSL (the orders channel) ;
• CAMEROA: acquisition software for continues images and observations synchronized in time, screen videos. Management of the cameras Apogee U4000. This process is server. It has a control channel by SSL socket and a data channel on SOCK_STREAM (screen video, server screen image to the customer) ;
• TERMINOA: terminal graphic software display on network, last image diffusion and tutorial documents by USB key (target visitors and museum). This process is server. It has a control channel by SSL socket and a data channel on SOCK_STREAM (screen image) ;
• SUPERVCLIMSO: supervisory software multithread (22 light processes), control interface of the instrument (it is customer of CamerOA, TerminOA, RobOA and Celsius).

Diagrammatic description of the applications, processes, threads and communication channels used for CLIMSO :

Development of the software "BestCoro" to find the best geometrical optical solution from a list of geometrical constraints, lenses and doublets which are commercially available.

Set up and various data exploitations software

SCANPROTU : Analysis of broad-band Hα coronagraphic observations, (A&A) 462, 731-741 (2007).

PrepaBASS2000, Barthelemy Camedescasse : image creation formatted for visualization on BASS2000 (centering, orientation, rotation, cartridge, format png...).

OAnaglyphe, D.R.: anaglyph production (3d image via red/cyan shift) from the glass images. For effect, visualization of image represented in form of a ball which comes out of the screen using only one image (and not coupled images).

ERNESTO, Maurice Audejean : execution of Numerical Achievements of Solar Events Treated by Computer. Creation of animations of the crown images in real time.

CAMILLO, Maurice Audejean : creation of animations of solar surface.

Bernard Dalstein

white background : Black background :

Josiane Greffier-Valette

Jean-Louis Levieil

Jean-Louis Levieil, Les Pyrénées en direct.

Odile Wurmser, CLIMSO assembly.

Jean-François Roudier, historical postcards of Pic-du-Midi.

• 5 PC ACER mini L250 format system (Standard DVD reader) for robotics (1 process ROBOA) and simultaneous control of the cameras (4 processes CAMEROA). These PC are on board the equatorial mounting. In order to have more software possibilities than a camera on IP, a standard PC in a thermostated box was chosen ;
• 1 standard PC protected server (DELL PowerEdge 1800) for the supervision in the observation room (1 SupervCLIMSO process, 2 screens) ;
• 2 standard office automation PC (DELL OptiPlex Gx620) with double chart screen for a total of 4 processes TERMINOA with 4 visualization screens ;
• 1 WebIO thermometer 8 probes PT100 ;
• 1 National Instrument PCI-7334, MID-7604 for the interfacing of the 4 axes ;
• 2 Switchs GB HP ProCurve 6108 with SX-LC mini GBIC fibre optical connection between the mounting and the piloting room.

Diagrammatic description of the information processing system for CLIMSO and its private network :

• 1 National Instrument MID-7604 for 4 axes interface ;
• 3 stepper motors SANYO-DENKI 103H7123-5040 (2 bobines, 2 phases, 0.83 N-m, 2 A/phase, 0.8 Ohm/phase) assembled on reducers MIJNO MRC210-20' NEMA023 ratio 20 (Axe CLIMSO opening wheel , Platine X/Y) ;
• 1 stepper motor SANYO-DENKI 103H5210-4240 (2 bobines, 2 phases, 0.51 N-m, 1 A/phase, 4.8 Ohm/phase) (axe filters wheel of C2) ;
• 3 incremental encoders IVO GI355 for clossed loop (CLIMSO opening wheel, platine X/Y) ;
• 1 incremental encoders IVO GI328 for closed loop axe filters wheel of C2 ;
• 6 micro switchs OMRON Z15-GW2B (home position and axes limits X/Y) ;

4 cameras Apogee U4000, KAI 4021M, 2048x2048, 16 bits 1 Mhz (image mode), 12 bits 10 MHz (video mode).

Importing retailer : Photon Lines

Sud Ouest Mécanique 2000 (S.O.M 2000), General Mechanics, M. Bages. (65800 AUREILHAN).

ELCOM, (38300 BOURGOIN-JALLIEU).

S.E.R.M.E.T, Mechanical Mechanics (69400 ARNAS).

VEGA réalisation composites, M. PASCUAL.

ASTROTELESCOPE, Jean-Marc Lecleire (coronagraph lense h-alpha C1 ).

Barr Associates

CORONADO filters

EDMUND Optics.

MELLES GRIOT

SESO, (coronagraph lense infrared C2).

(jj/mm/aaaa)

April 2004 : While on mission (R. Jimenez, J.C. Noëns, S. Rochain, D. Romeuf, O. Wurmser) at Pic-du-midi, the idea to build a new instrument to replace HACO is developed, so that the solar crown can be more fully studied.

01/06/2004 : first document defining the ideas and goals. Instrument start-up to be at the next solar minimum.

29-30/06/2004 : a small working group meeting at the Observatory of Tarbes.

04/07/2004  : preliminary study of the geometrical optics for the instruments by Luc Dettwiller.

09/2004 : the OA board of directors votes the construction of the new instrument.

10/10/2004 : Technical specifications drafted for the "New Instrument for Simultaneous and compared study of Solar Surface and Crown in several NIES-2CS wavelengths ". David Romeuf is appointed project manager ; a convention is signed by Domitien Debouzie, President of the UCBL.

10/2004 : first request for estimates...

12/2004 : search for manufacturers which specializes in robotics.

12/2004 : it was decided to use chip CCC KAI-4020M. The optic design will have to adapt to size limits and the desired primary focal distance (2500 mm).

20/12/2004 : objective lens for coronographes C1 and C2 ordered.

21/12/2004 : Used software "BestCoro", developed to find the best optical solution possible with standard optical industry manufactured lenses and doublets. Can one use a combination of standard lenses or do they need to be cut ?

01/2005 : search and consultation for the special interferential filters used.

10/01/2005 : using the results from the BestCoro software, the lenses and doublets (big industrial production) are chosen.

12-25/01/2005 : consultation, request estimates for the motors, encoders, electronic management of axes.

20/01/2005 : Study of the differential refraction between C1 and C2.

24/01/2005 : Optical study/Simulation (in an optical software design) of the lenses selected via BestCoro.

31/01/2005 : Search for a company able to produce the carbon fibre tubes for the coronographes.

03/02/2005 : Consultation at CORONADO filters.

12/04/2005 : Estimate for the aluminium carrying structure by ELCOM.

27/04/2005 : we selected interferential filters BARR Associates, Inc because they characteristically have a very weak drift with temperature, < 0.004nm/°C.

26/06/2005: the lens O1 of C2 by SESO is delivered.

22/09/2005: the lenses O2 bored to support the cones and discs occulters are delivered.

25/10/2005: ordered incremental encoders for the control of the four CLIMSO axes.

05-06/11/2005: mechanical weekend CAD. Work Meeting for the design group.

24/11/2005: ordered glass CORONADO H-alpha double stack SolarMax 90 < 0.5A.

05/12/2005: ordered a WebIO Thermometer 8 ports with probes PT100.

13/12/2005: ordered four cameras Apogee U4000.

13/12/2005: Purchased the on board PC on mounting for the simultaneous control of the four cameras and the robot software.

14/12/2005: ordered elements for data-processing network TCP/IP exclusive to CLIMSO (optical fibre, switchs).

06/01/2006 : Glass CORONADO SolarMax 90 delivred.

27/01/2006 : ordered manufacture of the optical carbon fibre tubes.

03/02/2006 : Launched the manufacture of the first mechanical parts at SERMET (69). As Eric says : "we are going to make turnings!"

04/02/2006 : we decided on the form of the CLIMSO logo with Bernard Dalstein who will produced it using 3d raytracor.

06/02/2006 : Jean-Louis Levieil begins making the slides broadcasted by the terminals used for the visualization of the CLIMSO images (TerminOA).

28/02/2006 : In memory of the bearers of the Pic-du-Midi, the idea to hold an opening ceremony, a walk from Tourmalet to the top of the Pic-du-Midi while transporting some CLIMSO parts in backpacks is developed.

07/03/2006 : Eric delivers the plans for the optical benches and the lenses carriages.

10/03/2006 : Jean-Louis Levieil delivers the general groundwork for the tutorial documentation for CLIMSO.

16/03/2006 : the first camera CCC Apogee U4000 is delivered. This camera will be tested and validated before making the firm order for the three others.

11/04/2006 : the program is established and the date CLIMSO is to be erected and installed at the Pic-du-Midi. July 30, 2006. A chalenge, all must be ready for this date.

13/04/2006 : ordered supervisory server for CLIMSO. A DELL Power Edge 1800 Xeon 3,2Ghz.

14/04/2006 : Odile Wurmser informs that the inauguration date falls well, as it coincides with when the 60cm telescope was brought up to the top on donkey back 100 years ago.

28/04/2006 : manufacture of the aluminium carrying structure for CLIMSO is launched. ELCOM is entrusted with this manufacturing.

28/04/2006 : Bernard Dalstein delivers several logo designs to the OA board of directors.

18/05/2006 : ordered glass CORONADO SolarMax 90 CaK.

29/06/2006 : the first carbon tube for the coronographe C1 is delivered:

03/07/2006 : the lens O1 for C1 is delivered  by J.M. Lecleire (AstroTelescope).

06/07/2006 : Eric delivers several plans for the main mechanics. It is necessary to be quick, very quick since CLIMSO must be ready for the Pic-du-Midi on 23rd July !!!

21/07/2006 : Assembly of the opening wheel.

23/07/2006 : CLIMSO is on the terrace of the Pic-du-Midi! Well done to the employees of “Syndicat Mixte” for their involvement.

30/07/2006 : ceremony for bringing up CLIMSO parts by backpack from Sencours. High atmosphere, good weather and a superb buffet offered by the General Council (Conseil Général).

31/07/2006 : Assembly of the carrying structure for CLIMSO onto the equatorial table of the coronagraph. CLIMSO is now with HACO and MSCO.

29/08/2006 : the three cameras Apogee U4000 are delivered.

03/10/2006 : consultation with S.O.M 2000 (65), Jean-Claude Bages for the manufacturing of the remaining precision mechanics (support for lenses in the carriage, polishing mirror cones and discs occulters, wheel with filters, coupling barlow glass camera...).

17/10/2006 : the manufacture of the parts at S.O.M 2000 launched.

21/10/2006 : assembly of the drawers for the objectives on CLIMSO.

30/10/2006 : launched manufacture of the mechanical stand for glasses L1 and L2.

16/11/2006 : ordered 2 PC and 6 19 inches screens necessary for image display and the supervision of CLIMSO.

14/12/2006 : first test images for L1 Solar telescope.

02/01/2007 : ordered three inverters S2S.

05/01/2007 : the plans for the wheel with filter for C2 delivered.

10/01/2007 : in the CLIMSO control room, installation of the wall screens.

23/01/2007 : reservation of the www.climso.fr and www.climso.org

24/01/2007 : Josiane Greffier-Valette begins the CLIMSO web site design.

26/01/2007 :  the plans for the coronographe C2 turntable X/Y are delivered. The aim of this turntable is to make C2 and C1 parallel. The movement is carried out on the right ascension and declination.

11/02/2007 :  assembly of the openings on the CLIMSO opening wheel (the daisy).

12/02/2007 :  version 1 of the supervision software for CLIMSO is ready.

15-18/02/2007 :  J.C Noëns, Raphaël Jimenez and Luc Dettwiller position and test the optics of the coronographes using a laser (bad weather to test over the sky and no time with a camera). They are presettings before sky.

 CLIMSO is now controllable from the observation room!!!

First simultaneous images from C1 and L1.

Not enough time to perfectly set mechanical and optical alignments. That  will be for a forthcoming mission.

05/04/2007 :  Installation of the diaphragms in C1.

09/04/2007 :  the CaKII glass is delivered by Meade. It will be CLIMSO-L2.

24/04/2007 :  CLIMSO adjustment mission if the weather permits! Jacques-Clair and Jimmy bring into focus the protuberances. Fine structures are observed towards the equator (click to zoom). Still need to improve the focus on the edge of the disc occulter. The weather does not allow work for several hours. The fringe of the disc occulter is fine, this is what is wanted to be obtained.

28/04/2007 :  Beautiful image obtained with CLIMSO L1 glass. Still need to improve the uniformity of the field in glass full light using the Fabry-Pérot adjustment serrated rollers.

29/04/2007 :  The Sun and the Earth turn!!! The weather does not permit adjustments to be finished correctly. C1 and L1 are suitably aligned. Jacques-Clair Noëns decides that from the following mission, i.e. on April 30, 2007, HACO will be stopped and observations on CLIMSO to start: "Therefore, from tomorrow, for all observations, it will be CLIMSO that is used by the OA. But up to now only the H-alpha ways have been brought into service". The adjustments are not yet optimum.

10/05/2007 :  Development of a software to create an anaglyph from a single untreated image from L1 and L2, OAnaglyphe. The aim is to represent the image in the form of a ball which comes out of the screen with the details on top rather than flat. For the moment, coupled images are not used, therefore no height information for the protuberances.

(cliquer pour agrandir)

20/05/2007 :  Patrick Müller and Henri Aurignac observe the first large protuberances through cirrus! They communicate their impressions and assembly. There are reflections which need to be removed.

27/05/2007 :  Jacques-Clair, Barthelemy and Jimmy observe and produce the first formatted images for BASS2000.

16/06/2007 :  At the beginning of June, after a calamitous weather, Jacques-Clair and Jimmy observe a very beautiful protuberance.

19-20/06/2007 : The very first presentation of CLIMSO to the specialists of the corona took place in Meudon in a meeting organized by Jean Arnaud from Nice Observatory. The minutes concerning the analysis of the new tools aiming to improve the knowledge of the corona are available at :

http://www-luan.unice.fr/JeanArnaud/Programme.htm

27/06/2007 : Maurice Audejean et Christian Marandeau observe a beautiful activity.

05/07/2007 :  The CLIMSO images from C1 and L1 are available on BASS2000. The images are generated by the software prepabass2000 (from Barthelemy Camedescasse) installed on the supervisor. They are transferred by a script on site BASS2000.

09/09/2007 :  Inaugural ceremony for CLIMSO in the presence of Christian LATOUCHE, FIDUCIAL, group chairman.

Sunday 9th September, 2007 will remain one memorable day for the Associated Observers. Indeed, there were many present around Christian LATOUCHE to inaugurate CLIMSO. Several personalities and sPic-du-Midiers followed one another to make speeches full of enthusiasm and dynamism emphasizing the motivation and synergy present within this group of astronomers. We stress the excellent relation which binds us with the Mixed Trade Union for exploitation of the site and its personnel. Mr. Bernard DUPRE, the OMP Director, underlined the new boost for this observation station in 2007 with the launching of NARVAL (spectropolarimeter stellar of the TBL) and CLIMSO.

The sPic-du-Midiing order was :

There was even “the world” on the balcony (is this not so Guy?).

Christian LATOUCHE closed the ceremony with a particularly interesting speech, centered on Man, his origins, his evolution, his interrogations and his improvement, the reasons for his support.

It is now time to click to start the first imageries.

Well done! The first image was good. This 9th September, the Sun was with us. Despite this calm period, there was activity.

Since it was the inauguration, the cupola and CLIMSO control room were opened to the public who pressed there by small groups. Below, the CLIMSO project manager explained to intrigued visitors the operation of the large wheel placed in front of the instrument. This wheel allows to synchronize in the same observation mode the four CLIMSO optical axes :

Serge ROCHAIN and Christian LATOUCHE :

The ceremonies often finish in song from the south-west. Eths Bandolets honoured us by their presence sang the official Rugby anthem from the world cup and then traditional mountain songs...

18/10/2007 :  L2 glass installation which observes Calcium stripes K. The first images performed by Jacques-Clair and Jimmy are very promising. From now on, CLIMSO observes with 3 instruments simultaneously.

Full resolution raw data IMG

17/11/2007 16:01 : Michel PUJOL and Jean-Louis LEVIEIL, associated observers at CLIMSO controls, record the passage of an aeroplane on L2, and 2 seconds later on C1, 30 minutes before sunset. On L2, is the usual image of a cabin and engine trail. On C1, the aspect is similar with an enormous loop. The effect of the atmospheric refraction can also be seen. This image will be in the headlines of Space Weather on Nov. 20, 2007, well known site of NASA.

Image 1024 pixels IMG

Image 900 pixels IMG

The development and the use of CLIMSO continues....