Aimee A. Norton, Ph.D.

Latest Intensity Image

Latest Intensity Image


The Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) is an instrument on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Spacecraft. It is a NASA-funded telescope that observes the full-disk of the Sun in the 617.3 nanometer Fe-I wavelength to determine the intensity, Doppler velocity and the magnetic field in the solar photosphere. These images are the most recent, up-to-date images of our Star as observed by HMI. The dark patches in the left image correspond to sunspots and strong magnetic fields. The colored regions in the image to the right corresponds to the polarity and strength of the magnetic fields in the solar photosphere.

Email: aanorton at stanford.edu


Education

  • Ph.D. Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles
  • M.S. Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles
  • B.S. Nuclear Engineering, Cum Laude, Texas A&M
  • Current & Recent Positions

  • Senior Research Scientist, Stanford University (current)
  • Science Editor, The Astrophysical Journal (2017-2020)
  • Secretary, Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society (2017-2021)
  • Elected Member, International Astronomical Union, Commission on Solar Activity (E2) (2018-2021)
  • Past Research and Teaching

  • Astronomer, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia 2009-2012
  • Assistant Astronomer, National Solar Observatory, Arizona, 2006-2009
  • Project Scientist, High Altitude Observatory, NCAR, Colorado, 2004-2005
  • Advanced Study Program, Postdoctoral Researcher, High Altitude Observatory, NCAR, Colorado, 2001-2003
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Stanford University, California, 1999-2001
  • Nuclear Medicine Technician, Washington State Health Lab, Washington 1992-1993
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, Los Alamos National Lab, Summers 1988-1991
  • Main Research Interests

  • Sun's Magnetic Fields
  • Sunspots
  • Solar Dynamo
  • Space-based Telescope Design
  • Select Publications

  • Norton, A., Howe, R., Upton, L., Usoskin, I., 2023, "Solar Cycle Observations", SSRv, 219, 64 [SSRv]
  • Raphaldini, B., Dikpati, M., Norton, A. A., Teruya, A. S. W., McIntosh, S. W., Prior, C. B., MacTaggart, D., 2023, "Deciphering the Pre-solar-storm Features of the 2017 September Storm From Global and Local Dynamics", The Astrophysical Journal, 958, 175 [ApJ]
  • Will, L., Norton, A. A., Hoeksema, J. T., 2023, "The Dependence of Joy's Law as a Function of Flux Emergence Phase", arXiv e-prints, arXiv:2310.20171 [arXiv]
  • Levens, P. J., Norton, A. A., Linton, M. G., Knizhnik, K. J., Liu, Y., 2023, "Observations of Twist, Current Helicity, and Writhe in the Magnetic Knots of Delta-sunspots Consistent with the Kink Instability of a Highly Twisted Flux Rope", 954, L20 [ApJL]
  • Norton, A. A., Levens, P. J., Knizhnik, K. J., Linton, M. G., Liu, Y., 2022, "Characterizing the Umbral Magnetic Knots of Delta-Sunspots", 938, 117 [ApJ]
  • Li, Q., Zhang, L., Yan, X., Norton, A. A., Wang, J., Yang, L., Xue, Z., Kong, D., 2022, "Dependence of the Continuum Intensities on the Magnetic Fields at Different Evolution Phases of Sunspots", 936, 37 [ApJ]
  • Liu, Y., Grinon-Marin, A. B., Hoeksema, J. T., Norton, A. A., Sun, X., 2022, "On the Hemispheric Bias Seen in Vector Magnetic Field Data", 297, 17 [SoPh]
  • Grinon-Marin, A. B., Pastor Yabar, A., Liu, Y., Hoeksema, J. T., Norton, A., 2021, "Improvement of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Vector Magnetic Field Inversion Code", 923, 84 [ApJ]
  • Dikpati, M., Norton, A. A., McIntosh, S. W., Gilman, P. A., 2021, "Dynamical Splitting of Spot-producing Magnetic Rings in a Nonlinear Shallow-water Model", 922, 46 [ApJ]
  • Dikpati, M., McIntosh, S. W., Chatterjee, S., Norton, A. A., Ambroz, P., Gilman, P. A., Jain, K., Munoz-Jaramillo, A., 2021, "Deciphering the Deep Origin of Active Regions via Analysis of Magnetograms", 910, 91 [ApJ]
  • Norton, A.A., Stutz, R.B., Welsch, B.T., 2021, "Oscillations observed in umbra, plage, quiet-Sun and the polarity inversion line of active region 11158 using HMI/SDO data", Royal Society Proceedings Transaction A, 37099175N [arXiv]
  • Panesar, N.K., Sterling, A.C., Moore, R.L., Tiwari, S.K, De Pontieu, B., Norton, A.A., 2018, "IRIS and SDO Observations of Solar Jetlets Resulting from Network-Edge Flux Cancelation", ApJL, 868L, 27P [arXiv]
  • Srivastava, A.K., et al, 2018, "The Extended Solar Cycle: Muddying the Waters of Solar/Stellar Dynamo Modeling or Providing Crucial Observational Constraints?", Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science, 5, 38 [FrASS]
  • Attie, R., Kirk, M.S., Thompson, B.J., Muglach, K., Norton, A.A., 2018, "Precursors of Magnetic Flux Emergence in the Moat Flows of Active Region AR12673", Space Weather, 16, 8 [Space Weather]
  • Houston, S.J., Jess, D.B, Asensio Ramos, A., Grant, S.D.T., Beck, C., Norton, A.A., Krishna Prasad, S., 2018, "The Magnetic Response of the Solar Atmosphere to Umbral Flashes", Astrophysical Journal, 860, 28 [ADS]
  • Xudong, S., Norton, A.A., 2017, "Super-Flaring Active Region 12673 Has One of the Fastest Magnetic Flux Emergence Rates Ever Observed", Research Notes of the AAS, 1, 24 [ADS]
  • Criscuoli, S., Norton, A.A., Whitney, T., 2017, "Photometric Properties of Network and Faculae Derived from HMI Data Compensated for Scattered-Light", Astrophysical Journal, 847, 93 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Jones, E.H., Linton, M.G., Leake, J.L., 2017, "Rates of Magnetic Flux Emergence for Preceder and Follower Sunspots in Active Regions Observed with HMI", Astrophysical Journal, 842, 3 [arXiv]
  • Couvidat, S., Schou, J., Hoeksema, J.T., Bogart, R.S., Bush, R.I., Duvall, T.L., Liu Y., Norton, A.A., Scherrer, P.H., 2016, "Observables Processing for the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager Instrument on the Solar Dynamics Observatory", Solar Physics, 291, 188 [ADS]
  • Arden, W.M., Norton, A.A., Sun, X., Zhao, X., 2016, "Comparison of Coronal Extrapolation Methods for Cycle 24 Using HMI Data", Astrophysical Journal, 823, 21 [ADS]
  • Jaeggli, S.A., Norton, A.A., 2016, "The Magnetic Classification of Solar Active Regions 1992-2015", Astrophysical Journal, 820, L11 [ADS]
  • McClintock, B.H., Norton, A.A., 2016, "Tilt Angle and Footpoint Separation of Small and Large Bipolar Sunspot Regions Observed with HMI", Astrophysical Journal, 818, 7 [ADS]
  • Hathaway, D.H., Teil, T., Norton, A.A., Kitiashvili, I., 2015, "The Sun's Photospheric Convection Spectrum", Astrophysical Journal, 811, 105, [ADS]
  • Fisher, Abbett, Bercik, Cazachenko, Lynch, Welsch, Hoeksema, Hayashi, Liu, Norton, Dalda, Sun, DeRosa, Cheung, 2015 "CGEM: Using HMI Data to Model the Buildup of Free Magnetic Energy in the Solar Corona", Space Weather, 13, 369 [ADS]
  • Sun, X.D.,, Bobra, M.G., Hoeksema, J.T., Liu, Y., Li, Y., Shen, C., Couvidat, S., Norton, A.A., Fisher, G.H., 2015, "Why is the Great Solar Active Region 12192 Flare-rich but CME-poor?", Astrophysical Journal, 804, L28 [ADS]
  • Hayashi, K., Hoeksema, J.T., Liu, Y., Bobra, M.G., Sun, X.D., Norton, A.A., 2015, "The HMI Vector Magnetic Field Pipeline: MHD Simulation Module for the Global Solar Corona", Solar Physics, 290, 1507 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Charbonneau, P., Passos, D., 2014, "Hemispheric Coupling: Comparing Dynamo Simulations and Observations", Space Science Reviews, 186, 251 [ADS]
  • Broomhall, A.-M., Chatterjee, P., Howe, R., Norton, A.A., Thompson, M.J., 2014, "The Sun's Interior Structure and Dynamics, and the Solar Cycle", Space Science Reviews, 186, 191 [ADS]
  • Pevtsov, A.A., Berger, M.A., Nindos, A., Norton, A.A., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L, 2014, "Magnetic Helicity, Tilt and Twist", Space Science Reviews, 186, 285 [ADS]
  • McClintock, B.H., Norton, A.A., Li, J., 2014, "Re-examining Sunspot Tilt Angle to Include Anti-Hale Statistics", Astrophysical Journal, 797, 130 [ADS]
  • Arden, W.M., Norton, A.A., Sun, X., 2014, "A 'breathing' source surface for cycles 23 and 24", JGR Space Phys, 119, 1476 [ADS]
  • Hoeksema, J.T, et al., 2014, "Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Vector Magnetic Field Pipeline", Solar Physics, 289,3483 [ADS]
  • Centeno, R., Schou, J., Hayashi, K., Norton, A., Hoeksema, J.T., Liu, Y., Leka, K.D., Barnes, G., 2014, "The HMI vector magnetic field pipeline: optimization of the spectral line inversion code", Solar Physics, 289, 3531 [arXiv]
  • Norton, A.A., et al., 2013, "How much more can sunspots tell us about the solar dynamo?", IAU Symposium, 294, 25 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Jones, E.H., Liu, Y., 2013, "How do the magnetic field strengths of sunspots vary over the solar cycle?", Journal of Physics Conf Ser., 440, 1, id:012038 [ADS]
  • McClintock, B.H., Norton, A.A., 2013, "Recovering Joy's Law as a Function of Solar Cycle, Hemisphere, and Longitude", Solar Physics, 287, 15 [ADS]
  • Vieira, L., Norton A., Dudok de Wit, T., Kretzschmar, M., Schimdt, G., Cheung, M.C.M., 2012, "How the inclination of Earth's orbit affects incoming solar irradiance", Geophys Research Letters, 39 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Gallagher, J.C., 2010, "Solar Cycle Characteristics Examined in Separate Hemispheres", Solar Physics, 261, 193 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Raouafi, N.E., Petrie, G.J.D., 2008, "The Tilted Solar Dipole as Observed and Modeled during the 1996 Solar Minimum", Astophysical Journal, 682, 1306 [ADS]
  • Raouafi, N.E., Petrie, G.J.D., Norton, A.A., Henney, C.J., Solanki, S.K., 2008, "Evidence for Polar Jets as Precursors of Polar Plume Formation", Astophysical Journal, 682L, 137 [ADS]
  • Borrero, J.M., Tomczyk, S., Norton, A., Darnell, T., Schou, J., Scherrer, P., Bush, R., Liu, Y., 2007, "Magnetic Field Vector Retrieval With the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager", Solar physics, 240, 177 [ADS]
  • Socas-Navarro, H., Norton, A.A., 2007, "The Solar Oxygen Crisis: Probably Not the Last Word", Astrophysical Journal, 660, L153 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., et al. 2006, "Spectral Line Selection for HMI", Solar Physics, 239, 69 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Gilman, P.A.. 2005, "Recovering Solar Toroidal Field Dynamics from Sunspot Location Patterns", Astrophysical Journal, 630, 1194 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Gilman, P.A.. 2004, "Magnetic Field-Minimum Intensity Correlation in Sunspots: A Tool for Solar Dynamo Diagnostics", Astrophysical Journal, 603, 348 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Settele, A, 2003, "Acceleration Effects in MDI Magnetogram Data", Solar Physics, 214, 227 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Uitenbroek, H., 2002, "Observing MHD oscillations: the effects of vertical magnetic gradients and thermodynamic fluctuations", SOLMAG, IAU Collaoquium 188, 281 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Ulrich, R.K., Liu, Y., 2001, "Center to Limb Angle Dependence of Phases (v, δ|B|)", Astrophysical Journal, 561, 435 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Ulrich, R.K., 2000, "Magnetic Oscillations in the Solar Photosphere: Observations with MDI, ASP and MWO", Solar Physics, 192, 403 [ADS]
  • Norton, A.A., Ulrich, R.K., Bush, R.I., Tarbell, T.D., 1999, "Characteristics of MHD Oscillations Observed with MDI", Astrophysical Journal, 518, L123 [ADS]
  • Poetry (my hobby)

  • Poem featured on 24PearlStreet Blog Tolstoy, I am trying to forgive you
  • Poem featured on 24PearlStreet Blog Dutiful Daughters, Sleeping Sons
  • Guest poet in "Laboratorio" edited by Simon Barraclough and published by Sidekick Books: Laboratorio and Sample Poems
  • Chapbook published by Drunken Boat, Permissions, 2013, link not active
  • Poem in Leviathan: A Journal of Melville Studies Building My Boat from Kindling
  • Code Poetry published by Really Systems: Apache Code Errors
  • More poetry at Really Systems: No Sin Like Arson
  • Geospatial Poetry at Cascadia Chronicle, Earthquake Preparedness, link not active
  • 4 Poems in Softblow: 4 Poems in Softblow
  • Many Mountains Moving Finalist: In the Name of Cleanliness