ARTop: an open-source tool for measuring active region topology at the solar photosphere

Abstract

ABSTRACT The importance of measuring topological quantities, such as magnetic helicity, in solar observations has long been recognized. In particular, topological quantities play an important role in both understanding and predicting solar eruptions. In this paper, we present ARTop (Active Region Topology), an open-source and end-to-end software tool that allows researchers to calculate the fluxes of topological quantities based on solar magnetograms. In addition to this, ARTop also allows for the efficient analysis of these quantities in both 2D maps and time series. ARTop calculates the fluxes of magnetic helicity and magnetic winding, together with particular decompositions of these quantities. To perform these calculations, SHARP magnetograms are downloaded and velocity maps are created using the DAVE4VM method. Visualization tools, written in Python, are provided to aid in the selection of appropriate output variables and for the straightforward creation of maps and time series. Additionally, other analysis functions are included to facilitate and aid solar flare investigations. This software offers researchers a powerful tool for investigating the behaviour of active regions and the origins of space weather.