Patent ID: 8280104
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A solar imaging system for simultaneously imaging the solar corona and inner heliosphere of the Sun, the imaging system comprising: a wide-field annular coronagraph (WAC) comprising: an optic system of annular, aspheric reflecting optics centered around a cylindrical axis of symmetry wherein the axis coincides with the azimuthal orientation of the imaging system towards the Sun; an occulting cone having an axis of symmetry coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the optic system; a baffle system for reducing stray light at angles far from the Sun, the baffle system positioned in association with the reflecting optic system; and at least one digital electronic imaging device; a solar coronal imager (SCI) positioned within the occulting cone of the WAC, the SCI comprising: an optic system of axially aligned refracting optics centered on an axis of symmetry wherein the axis coincides with the azimuthal orientation of the imaging system towards the Sun; at least one occulting disk having an axis of symmetry coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the optic system; and at least one digital electronic imaging device; and image processing instrumentation connected to the at least one digital electronic imaging device of the WAC and the at least one digital electronic imaging device of the SCI.