What is your field of interest?

I study the atmosphere of the Sun using a combination of observations and numerical models.

Could you please describe your current project in simple terms?

I am the director of the Institute for Solar Physics, which operates the Swedish Solar Telescope.  My main activity right now is upgrading the scientific instruments at the telescope so they can view a larger part of the Sun and with less noise.

What are the expectations and/or challenges for the future?

The main challenge we have is to measure the magnetic field in the atmosphere of the Sun. For that we need very precise measurements of the polarisation of the light emitted by the Sun. Achieving the required precision is challenging as all the components in the telescope and the instruments introduce false polarisation. We need to measure and correct for that so that we can see the actual polarisation of the sunlight.

What part of your research do you find the most exciting?

Formulating questions that no-one has asked before and then finding the answer to that question.

Do you have any advice for prospect astronomers that are interested in your field of expertise?

Astronomy is applied physics. Focus on studying physics and math. If you’re good at that then learning how to apply your knowledge to the solar atmosphere is easy.

Jorrit Leenaarts in front of the Swedish Solar Telescope at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma. Image: Jorrit Leenarts