Development of digital imaging technologies for the segmentation

Solar images are one of the most important sources of available information on the current state and behaviour of the sun and the PICARD satellite is one of several ground and space-based observatories dedicated to the collection of that data. The PICARD satellite hosts the Solar Diameter Imager and Surface Mapper (SODISM) a telescope aimed at continuously monitoring the Sun. It has generated a huge cache of images and other data that can be analysed and interpreted to improve the monitoring of features such as sunspots and the prediction and diagnosis of solar activity.In proportion to the available raw material the little-published analysis of SODISM data has provided the impetus for this study specifically a novel method of contributing to the development of a system to enhance detect and segment sunspots using new hybrid methods. This research aims to yield an improved understanding of SODISM data by providing novel methods to tabulate a sunspot and filling factor (FF) catalogue which will be useful for future forecasting activities.