On single-point inversions of magnetic dipole lines in the corona

Prompted by a recent paper by Dima and Schad, we re-consider the problem of inferring magnetic properties of the corona using polarimetric observations of magnetic dipole (M1) lines. Dima and Schad point to a potential source of degeneracy in a formalism developed by Plowman, which under some circumstances can lead to the solution being under-determined. Here we clarify the nature of the problem. Its resolution lies in solving for the scattering geometry using the elongation of the observed region of the corona. We discuss some conceptual problems that arise when casting the problem for inversion in the observer’s reference frame, and satisfactorily resolve difficulties identified by Plowman, Dima and Schad.