National Solar Observatory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The mission of the National Solar Observatory is to advance knowledge of the Sun, both as an astronomical object and as the dominant external influence on Earth, by providing forefront observational opportunities to the research community. The mission includes the operation of cutting edge facilities, the continued development of advanced instrumentation both in-house and through partnerships, conducting solar research, and educational and public outreach. The National Solar Observatory operates facilities at two locations. One at Sacramento Peak in New Mexico, and the other at Kitt Peak in Arizona.
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[edit] Visiting the observatories
The National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak welcomes visitors during the daytime. The observatory lies in New Mexico at the southern end of NM Scenic Byway 6563, about 18 miles (by car) south of Cloudcroft (on NM 82), and 40 miles southeast (by car) from Alamogordo (on NM 70 and 54), in the village of Sunspot inside of the Lincoln National Forest. For more info see: Sac Peak directions There is a separate, nighttime observatory Apache Point Observatory, located nearby. It is located in Sunspot, New Mexico, an unincorporated community in the Sacramento Mountains in Otero County, New Mexico, United States,
The National Solar Observatory in Arizona is located in Tucson and at Kitt Peak, which is 56 miles southwest of Tucson via State Route 86 on the Tohono O'Odham Reservation. Allow 90 minutes of drive time from Tucson. For more info see: Kitt Peak directions
The National Solar Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation, for the benefit of the astronomical community.
[edit] Telescopes operated by the observatory
[edit] Sacramento Peak
- The Evans Solar Facility
- Hilltop Dome Facility
[edit] Kitt Peak
- Kitt Peak Solis Telescope
[edit] Global
- Global Oscillation Network Group
[edit] Interesting Trivia and History
The site's name, Sunspot, was chosen by the late James C. Sadler, (1920-2005), an internationally noted meteorologist and professor at The University of Hawaii, formerly with the United States Air Force on assignment during the early inception of the observatory.
