VEry high Resolution Imaging Spectrograph (VERIS): a pathfinder for high resolution EUV spectroscopic observations of the solar atmosphere

Overview: Recent observations at arcsecond (TRACE, SDO, XRT-Hinode) and sub-arcsecond (VAULT, VERIS-1, IRIS, Hi-C) spatial resolution clearly show that structures with fine spatial scales play a key role in the physics of the upper solar atmosphere. Both theoretical and observational considerations point to the importance of small spatial scales, impulsive energy release, strong dynamics, and extreme plasma nonuniformity. Fundamental questions regarding the nature, structure, properties and dynamics
of loops and filamentary structures in the upper atmosphere have been raised. To address these questions, we propose a reflight of the next generation, VEry high angular Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (VERIS) sounding rocket instrument. VERIS will obtain the necessary high spatial resolution, high fidelity measurements of plasma temperatures, densities and velocities. With broad simultaneous temperature coverage, the VERIS observations will directly address unresolved issues relating to interconnections of various temperature solar plasmas. The first engineering flight of VERIS produced the first subarcsecond imaging EUV imaging spectroscopy observations of the solar atmosphere. A second flight of VERIS will incorporate a new low-scatter, holographic grating and an upgraded CCD camera system to achieve a significant improvement in SNR in a new wavelength range. VERIS provides sub-arcsecond (0.16 arcsecond/ pixel) co-registered spectra of flare-type plasma, coronal and transition region structures simultaneously. The observations will have a spectral resolution of >5000 to allow centroided Doppler velocity determinations to better than 3 km/s. VERIS observes in a spectral range with broad temperature coverage (0.03-15 MK). VERIS will observe the EUV spectrum from 941-1140A, providing the first simultaneous observations of the chromosphere, transition region, and corona at high spatial resolution and high cadence. These observations will be combined with simultaneous data from IRIS, Hinode, and SDO to assemble a complete picture of the solar atmosphere. With VERIS we will 1. Measure time-dependent transition region velocity structure in active region moss — by combining high spatial and spectral resolution with high cadence we can follow the response of the transition region to heating events and differentiate between electron beam and conductive heating; 2. Investigate the origins of high temperature active region plasma by observing the Doppler signatures of nanoflare and Alfven wave heating in the corona — simultaneous spectroscopic measurements of Fe XVIII and Fe XIX will constrain current models of coronal heating; 3. Determine the composition of active region moss in the transition region — by comparing the relative intensities of low-FIP Si with high-FIP C, N, and O lines we will measure elemental abundances and constrain models of mass flux into the corona. The proposed program is an extension of the VERIS and VAULT development program. During this program, we completed the instrument design, fabrication activities and successfully launched VERIS 1 in August 2013. VAULT 2.0 was launched in September 2014. NASA Relevance: This investigation represents a unique contribution to the Low Cost Access to Space portion of NASA's Solar and Heliospheric program. VERIS will obtain high velocity and temperature resolution, spectrally resolved images and spectra of the QS and AR structures in the solar atmosphere with unprecedented spatial resolution and temperature coverage. The instrumentation will provide crucial snapshots of the solar atmosphere which will address NASA's research objective of understanding the fundamental physical processes of the space environment relevant to the NASA science question of how and why the Sun varies. VERIS serves as a technology testbed for a next generation solar imaging spectrograph with broad temperature coverage and high spatial resolution.

Support NASA's Heliophysics strategic science objectives to understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather. This will be achieved by developing/demonstrating instrumentation technology necessary to address the following science goals: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system; Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

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