Research Solar physics

1 research

1.1 space based

1.1.1 sdo
1.1.2 soho
1.1.3 hinode


1.2 ground based

1.2.1 atst
1.2.2 big bear


1.3 other

1.3.1 eunis

research

the solar physics division of american astronomical society boasts 555 members (as of may 2007), compared several thousand in parent organization.

a major thrust of current (2009) effort in field of solar physics integrated understanding of entire solar system including sun , effects throughout interplanetary space within heliosphere , on planets , planetary atmospheres. studies of phenomena affect multiple systems in heliosphere, or considered fit within heliospheric context, called heliophysics, new coinage entered usage in years of current millennium.

space based
sdo


the sdo satellite

the solar dynamics observatory (sdo) launched nasa in february 2010 cape canaveral. main goals of mission understanding how solar activity arises , how affects life on earth determining how sun s magnetic field generated , structured , how stored magnetic energy converted , released space.

soho


image of soho spacecraft

the solar & heliospheric observatory, soho, joint project between nasa , esa launched in december 1995. launched probe interior of sun, make observations of solar wind , phenomena associated , investigate outer layers of sun.

hinode

a publicly funded mission led japanese aerospace exploration agency, hinode satellite, launched in 2006, consists of coordinated set of optical, extreme ultraviolet , x-ray instruments. these investigate interaction between solar corona , sun s magnetic field.

ground based
atst

the advanced technology solar telescope (atst) solar telescope facility under construction in maui. twenty-two institutions collaborating on atst project, main funding agency being national science foundation.

big bear

the big bear solar observatory in california houses several telescopes including new solar telescope(nts) 1.6 meter, clear-aperture, off-axis gregorian telescope. nts saw first light in december 2008. until atst comes on line, nts remains largest solar telescope in world. big bear observatory 1 of several facilities operated center solar-terrestrial research @ new jersey institute of technology (njit).

other
eunis

the extreme ultraviolet normal incidence spectrograph (eunis)is 2 channel imaging spectrograph first flew in 2006. observes solar corona high spectral resolution. far, has provided information on nature of coronal bright points, cool transients , coronal loop arcades. data helped calibrating soho , few other telescopes.