= Synoptic Map =

A synoptic map shows data of the entire solar surface.

Synoptic maps can be presented in a variety of projections.  
 . One typical format is longitude and sine latitude.
 . Another is longitude, latitude

There are at least two kinds of solar synoptic maps.

 . '''''Diachronic Maps'''''
  . Traditional synoptic maps, such as the traditional and non-traditional Carrington Charts, are diachronic maps assembled from measurements collected over a long period, typically a solar rotation.  Strips of data observed near central meridian are combined to form a global map.  Each longitude shows the surface as it was observed at a different time.  There is no effective way to account for differential rotation or field evolution in a diachronic synoptic map.

 . '''''Synchronic Maps'''''
  . Synchronic maps, such as the ''Synchronic Chart'' or the ''Synchronic Frame'', shows the entire solar surface observed at a particular instant of time.  This is more like a traditional terrestrial weather synoptic map.  Inevitably such maps of the Sun are approximations that combine observations taken at different times that have been evolved in some way according to a model.
  . A '''synchronic chart''' can be constructed from a diachronic synoptic map by stretching each longitude appropriately to account for differential rotation.  Such a synchronic chart is valid only at a single instant of time. 
  . A model synchronic chart can also be constructed by applying some form of surface transport model to observed magnetic fields.
  . A '''synchronic frame''' is a special kind of synchronic chart that incorporates a '''Heliographic Frame'''.  The heliographic frame is effectively treated a partial synoptic map that is inserted into a synchronic chart.  A heliographic frame can be constructed from a single magnetogram or set of magnetograms.  Merging a heliographic frame that measures the magnetic field over an extended area on the solar surface with a synchronic chart provides perhaps the best approximation of the global field at a particular instant.