The most detailed image of a sunspot to date (see top of post), featured this month on the Ciel et l'Espace website, was produced by New Jersey Institute of Technology Distinguished Professor Philip R. Goode and the team at California's Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). Scientists achieved "first light," the first light image that used a deformable mirror in what is called adaptive optics."This photo of a sunspot is now the most detailed ever obtained in visible light," according to Ciel et l'Espace. In September, the popular astronomy magazine will publish several more photos of the Sun taken with BBSO's new system.
The images were achieved with the 1.6 m clear aperture, off-axis New Solar Telescope (NST) at BBSO.
That telescope, the worlds' largest ground-based solar instrument, is the crown jewel of BBSO which is the first facility-class solar observatory built in more than a generation in the U.S. The telescope, now in commissioning stage at BBSO, has a resolution covering about 50 miles on the Sun's surface.
"First light" is the first use of a telescope to take an astronomical image after it has been constructed. The first light image is normally of little scientific interest and is of poor quality since the various telescope elements are yet to be adjusted for optimum efficiency. These BBSO solar images were taken July 1 and 2, 2010.
Scientists believe sunspots hold an important key to understanding space weather. Space weather that originates in the Sun can have dire consequences on Earth's climate and environment. A bad storm can disrupt power grids and communication, destroy satellites and even expose airline pilots, crew and passengers to radiation.
Since 1997, under Goode's direction, NJIT has owned and operated BBSO. Its location in a clear mountain lake that is characterized by atmospheric stability as been essential for BBSO's primary interest: measuring and understanding solar complex phenomena.
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