Implementation of Absolute Point of Focus Technology in Solar Image Processing

Solar imaging allows for better monitoring of space weather and solar flares. Solar images are used to study the sun’s atmosphere and to refine the understanding of solar physics. We have obtained photos of the sun using an H-alpha filter, which records photos at a wavelength of 656.28nm. The photos are then post processed and developed. These images were taken using an eight inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope and Sharpcap technology. We applied various techniques such as normalization and flat fielding, using code we wrote for this project. Then the images are recolored and altered in Photoshop. Finally the images undergo the absolute point of focus technology, performed using the Photoshop APF-R plugin. This technology increases the sharpness without significantly increasing the noise, unlike most sharpening techniques. This research has enhanced the structure and clarity of our solar images greatly. The High Altitude Observatory (HAO) in Boulder has been developing a tunable birefringent filter. These images will be used by the HAO to better develop spaceborn filter technology, as well as to progress studies of electricity and magnetism.