A REAL-TIME SUNSPOT TRACKING ALGORITHM

A high speed data processing algorithm has been developed for NASA Marshall's Experimental Vector Magnetograph to determine image motion produced by wind loading, atmospheric fluctuation, and mechanical vibrations. The algorithm can be implemented with a tracker based on two linear CCD's which would make data transfer and data processing more efficient than trackers utilizing an imaging CCD. The performance comparison of the algorithm with conventional approaches is presented. Determining sunspot position at rates up to 10 kHz is possible with an accuracy comparable to that of correlation trackers but without using dedicated Digital Signal Processing units. The algorithm is applicable for tracking asymmetrical, irregular, and complex objects.