National Solar Observatory
The mission of the NSF’s National Solar Observatory is to advance knowledge of the Sun, both as an astronomical object and as the dominant external influence on Earth. This is accomplished by providing observational opportunities to the research community through the operation of cutting-edge facilities, the continued development of advanced instrumentation both in-house and through partnerships and conducting solar research. The NSO currently leads two world-class observing programs:
- The NSF's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope is the most powerful solar telescope in the world, with a 4 meter mirror collecting the highest resolution images ever seen of the solar surface.
- The NSO Integrated Synoptic Program (NISP) has provides daily images of the Sun, feeding valuable understanding of the Sun's magnetic behavior and providing vital input for space weather models.