SOHO LASCO C2: Polarized Brightness Images of the Solar Corona

LASCO C2 coronagraph images capture polarized brightness of the solar corona from 1.5 to 6 solar radii. The instrument uses a 1024 x 1024 pixel CCD with a spatial resolution of ~23 arcsec and can be scheduled for observation programs. This data originates from NASA's SOHO mission, with a last update recorded in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Analyzing coronal structure and dynamics based on polarized brightness measurements
• Developing image compression techniques based on the seven methods mentioned for LASCO
• Studying solar activity and coronal mass ejections within the 1.5–6 solar radii field of view
• Calibrating and validating coronagraph instrument models based on the described CCD and cooling specifications

Strengths

• Images are captured with a 1024 x 1024 pixel CCD, providing a defined image matrix
• The C2 coronagraph has a specified spatial resolution of ~23 arcsec
• Observation programs can be scheduled for absolute times or sequences, offering control over data collection

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Last updated 2026-03-13 04:48:51.372087; freshness should be verified

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data collected by the LASCO C2 instrument on the SOHO spacecraft.