Exploitation of Space Data for Innovative Helio- and Asteroseismology (SPACEINN)

FP7-SPACE-2012-312844 (call FP7-SPACE-2012-1)

Principal investigator
Markus Roth (Kiepenheur-Institut fur Sonnenphysik, Germany)

Researcher in charge at CAUP
Mário J. P. F. G. Monteiro

Observations of oscillations on the solar and stellar surfaces have emerged as a unique and extremely powerful tool to gain information on, and understanding of, the processes in the Sun and Stars, and the origin of the variability in the solar and stellar output.

Through helio- and asteroseismology detailed inferences of the internal structure and rotation of the Sun, and extensive information on the properties of a broad range of stars can be obtained.

Space-based observations play a leading role in helio- and asteroseismology, in close synergy with ground-based observations as well as theoretical modelling. Long observing sequences are essencial for measuring the oscillation frequencies with the precision required, and to extract the lowest mode frequencies involved. The enormous value of long-term space-based observations has been demonstrated in the solar case by the joint ESA/NASA SOHO mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. This is now being followed by instruments on the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission. Large volumes of exquisite data on stellar oscillations of stars with a broad range of masses and ages are being collected by the CNES space mission CoRoT (Convection, Rotation and Transit) and the NASA Kepler mission.

Extensive Earth-based observations of solar oscillations have been undertaken with the GONG network (Global Oscillations Network Group) and the Birmingham Oscillation Network (BiSON) to ensure continuous monitoring. A asteroseismic network, SONG (Stellar Observations Network Group) is being established under Danish leadership. Equally important for asteroseismology is the availability of supplementary data on the stars from more traditional observations, to determine their surface temperature, composition, radius, etc. Only through a coordinated use of the space- and ground-based data can the full potential of helio- and asteroseismology be realized.

Institutions envolved in the project:
- Kiepenheuer-Institut fur Sonnenphysik (KIS)
- Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC)
- Commissariat A L Energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives (CEA)
- Max Planck Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Wissenschaften E. V. (MPG)
- Istituto Nazionale de Astrofisica (INAF)
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
- Observatoire de Paris (OBSPARIS)
- Centro de Astrofisica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP)
- The University of Birmingham (UOB)
- Aarhus Universitet (AU)
- Universite Paris-Sud (UPS)
- Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
- Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Nationalbibliotek og Kobenhavns (KB)
- Magyar Tudomanyos Akademia Csillagaszati es Foldtudomanyi Kutatokozpont (MTA CSFK)
- AURA
- University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Nonprofit Corporation (UCAR)
- Universite Paul Sabatier Toulouse III (UPST)

Funding institution
European Commission

Start: 1 January 2013
End: 31 December 2016

>> See project website