A high resolution atlas of the second solar spectrum

We present a high spectral resolution polarimetric survey of scattering polarization at the solar limb in graphical representation. The complete dataset has been recorded using ZIMPOL II at the 45 cm evacuated Gregorian reflector of IRSOL at Locarno, southern Switzerland betwen May 1999 and May 2000. It covers the spectral region from 4625 Angstrom to 6995 Angstrom and has recently been published in the form of a book (Gandorfer 2000) to serve as a reference catalogue for future observations in selected spectral regions. The observational technique as well as the layout of the atlas is described. Examples demonstrate different physical mechanisms that contribute to the wealth of spectral structures in the second solar spectrum. The general appearance supports the hypothesis that the turbulent background magnetic field has a temporal variation, but this needs to be clarified in future observations.