The Sun’s chromosphere revealed in stunning opening images from the world’s most powerful solar telescope

NSF’s flagship solar telescope, the largest in the world, heralds a new era in solar science.

New observations released to celebrate the Inouye Solar Telescope dedication ceremony.

On August 31, 2022, a delegation of US National Science Foundation (NSF) leaders, Congressional dignitaries, and members of both the scientific and native Hawaiian communities gathered near the summit of Haleakalā, Maui for the dedication of the world’s most powerful solar telescope to commemorate the world. NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope is delivering on its promise to reveal the Sun in unprecedented ways as it nears the completion of the first year of its Operations Commissioning Phase (OCP).

The first images of the chromosphere — the portion of the Sun’s atmosphere above the surface — were captured on June 3, 2022 by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope. The image shows a region 82,500 kilometers in diameter with a resolution of 18 km (11 miles). . This image was taken at 486.13 nanometers using the Balmer series hydrogen beta line. (See with superimposed Earth for scale.) Photo credits: National Solar Observatory (NSO), AURA, NSF

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the images and data produced by the Inouye Solar Telescope will write the next chapters in solar physics research. Included are two stunning new images released to celebrate last week’s events. Over 25 years ago, NSF invested in creating a world-leading, ground-based solar observatory to answer the most pressing questions in solar physics and space weather events affecting Earth. This vision, implemented by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) through NSF’s National Solar Observatory (NSO), was realized during the official inauguration of the Inouye Solar Telescope.

“NSF’s Inouye Solar Telescope is the world’s most powerful solar telescope that will forever change the way we study and understand our Sun,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “Their insights will change the way our nation and planet predict and prepare for events like solar storms.”

The first images of the chromosphere — the portion of the Sun’s atmosphere above the surface — were captured on June 3, 2022 by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope. The image shows a region 82,500 kilometers in diameter with a resolution of 18 km (11 miles). . This image was taken at 486.13 nanometers using the Balmer series hydrogen beta line. (See with superimposed earth for scale.) Source: NSO/AURA/NSF

To commemorate this momentous occasion, the dedication brought together NSF leadership, telescope staff and members of the scientific community to honor this historic milestone in the telescope’s commissioning. Representatives from NSF, AURA and NSO were joined by key staff from the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Judiciary, Science and Related Agencies, and key staff from the House Approval Committee on Science, Space and Technology and Funding Solar Telescope Daniel K. Inouye.

A delegation of NSF leaders, Congressional dignitaries, and members of both the scientific and native Hawaiian communities gathered at NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope to honor the telescope’s dedication on August 31, 2022. Photo credits: National Solar Observatory (NSO), AURA, NSF

It is noted that the Inouye Solar Telescope is located on land of spiritual and cultural importance to Native Hawaiians. This useful site is used to promote scientific knowledge with appreciation and respect. Members of the Inouye Solar Telescope Native Hawaiian Working Group were recognized for their invaluable role in educating NSF and NSO employees on cultural issues important to them and providing cultural input during the construction of the telescope. Hōkūlani Holt, director of the Ka Hikina O Ka Lā program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, led an opening coil (prayer) in accordance with Hawaiian cultural protocol.

The Inouye Solar Telescope is dedicated to advancing solar science, research and education and fostering relationships with local communities throughout Hawaii. Since the start of the OCP in February 2022, the Inouye Solar Telescope has collected data for more than 20 of the accepted scientific proposals and made the first coordinated solar observations with NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter.

“With the world’s largest solar telescope now in scientific operation, we are grateful to all who make this remarkable facility possible,” said Matt Mountain, President of AURA. “We especially thank the people of Hawaii for the privilege of operating from this remarkable site, the National Science Foundation and the US Congress for their consistent support, and our team at the Inouye Solar Telescope, many of whom have worked tirelessly decade before this transformation project. A new era of solar physics begins!”

dr Thomas Rimmele, Director of the Inouye Solar Telescope, welcomed the delegation at the 10,000-foot site of the Haleakalā Observatories in Maui, HI. Credit: National Solar Observatory (NSO), AURA, NSF

The NSF and NSO support the growth and development of Hawaii’s scientific and technical workforce through educational and personal development programs. Students from Hawaii and native Hawaiians are supported on their journey to STEM careers through school and community events, participation in the Akamai Workforce Initiative, and the NSF-funded Ka Hikina O Ka Lā program. Partnering with the National Park Service (Haleakalā National Park) to host Solar Week in 2022 is an example of efforts to bring solar science to the general public. Employment opportunities at the Inouye Solar Telescope aim to diversify the Hawaii job industry and provide STEM-based career opportunities for the Hawaii workforce.

Dressed in cleanroom garb, members of the inauguration delegation visit the Inouye Solar Telescope’s instrument laboratory, dubbed the Coudé Laboratory. Optical components of the telescope’s cameras can be seen in the foreground. Credit: National Solar Observatory (NSO), AURA, NSF

The inauguration marks an ambitious multi-decade project to make its world-class solar observatory available. The celebration recognized the collaboration between the many companies and individuals required to successfully bring the telescope into service. It marked the beginning of the Inouye Solar Telescope’s 50-year journey to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun, its magnetic behavior and how it affects the Earth.

Kumu Hōkūlani Holt, director of the Ka-Hikina-O-Ka-Lā program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, led an opening speech (prayer) in accordance with Hawaiian cultural protocol and spoke to those attending the initiation. Credit: National Solar Observatory (NSO), AURA, NSF

The US National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope is operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO). It is a federally funded research and development center focused on solar research administered by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The Inouye Solar Telescope and NSO are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through a collaborative agreement with AURA. The Inouye Solar Telescope is located on land of spiritual and cultural importance to Native Hawaiians. The use of this important site for the advancement of scientific knowledge is done with appreciation and respect.