National Solar Observatory
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he National Solar Observatory is a public research institute headquartered in Boulder, Colorado with a satellite facility in Maui, Hawaiʻi. The mission of NSO is to advance our understanding of the Sun, both as a star and as a major influence for life on Earth. Funded by the National Science Foundation, NSO operates telescopes for use by the US and international solar physics community. These include the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and the NSO Integrated Synoptic Program network. Advanced technological techniques developed by dedicated engineering teams are continuously under development in order to provide the highest quality data to the US solar physics community. Here at NSO, scientists are conducting cutting edge research on understanding the fundamental processes that occur on the Sun, specifically how its active magnetic field influences solar activity, and using our understanding of solar behaviors to better inform our knowledge of other stars.
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| Scope | National |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Country | United States of America |
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Recent Articles
Search ArticlesSummer of Science: Students in Hawai‘i and Colorado Complete NSO Internships
Home » Blog » Summer of Science: Students in Hawai‘i and Colorado Complete NSO Internships SUMMARY: Each summer, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Solar Observatory (NSO) provides mentorship and support for two of astronomy’s signature undergraduate research and workforce development programs: the Akamai Workforce Initiative on Maui, Hawai‘i, and the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Boulder, Colorado.
Listening to the Sun’s Waves to Reveal Its Invisible Magnetic Field
Credit: Alin Paraschiv/AI-generated with Claude Home » Blog » Listening to the Sun’s Waves to Reveal Its Invisible Magnetic Field By NSO with contributions by Alin Paraschiv SUMMARY: The Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, is shaped by powerful magnetic fields that drive solar eruptions and influence the variable conditions in the space environment—known as space weather.
Following the Sun’s Shadow: NSO and the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse in Spain
SUMMARY: Project NATE is a science initiative led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) in collaboration with the U.S. National Science Foundation National Solar Observatory (NSF NSO) and the University Mohamed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) that will observe the eclipse of August 2, 2027 through a coordinated network of telescopes similar to the NSO-led CATE 2017 and the Southwest Research Institute-led CATE 2024 citizen science experiments in the U.S. The telescopes will be operated by...
NSF Inouye Solar Telescope Enables Major Discovery of a Hidden Solar Process
Scientists using the U.S. National Science Foundation Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope have made a major breakthrough in solar physics, discovering Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability on the surface of the Sun — a finding that could help explain explosive solar activity and other solar phenomena. SUMMARY: The U.S. National Science Foundation National Solar Observatory (NSF NSO) announced today a major breakthrough in solar physics. Using the world’s most powerful solar telescope, the NSF Daniel K.
Deep Diving the Sun: How K-Means Clustering is Decoupling Solar Dynamics
Home » Blog » Deep Diving the Sun: How K-Means Clustering is Decoupling Solar Dynamics SUMMARY: How does the Sun transfer energy to its super-heated outer atmosphere? A new study from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Solar Observatory (NSF NSO) leverages high-resolution data from the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and machine learning to map the thermodynamics of the solar chromosphere.
A 4π Framework for Forecasting Solar‑Limb Flares Using the AFT Model and NSF-NOAA GONG Far-Side Helioseismic Maps
GONG H-alpha image from the Learmonth, Australia site showing an M-class flare from an active region behind the southeast limb (marked by the red circle) on October 14, 2014.
Reading the Sun’s Fireworks: How Flare Ribbons Reveal Hidden Solar Explosions
Artistic Rendition by Corchado Albelo Home » Blog » Reading the Sun’s Fireworks: How Flare Ribbons Reveal Hidden Solar Explosions Summary: Scientists study solar flares—huge explosions on the Sun—to understand how energy is suddenly released in space. A recent study led by solar physicists at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Solar Observatory reports on a new way to “read” the bright ribbons formed during solar flares to uncover what is happening high above the surface.
NSF-NOAA GONG Maps Hidden Magnetism on the Sun’s Far Side
BOULDER, CO. — April, 24, 2026 — For observers on Earth, the Sun appears as a bright, familiar disk—but what we see is only half the story. Like the Moon, one half of the Sun is permanently hidden from our direct view: the far side beyond the visible solar limb. Yet, activity brewing there can eventually turn toward Earth, sometimes unleashing solar flares and eruptions capable of disrupting human technology.
New Solar Flare Observations Challenge Leading Theories
Home » Blog » New Solar Flare Observations Challenge Leading Theories USING THE NSF DANIEL K. INOUYE SOLAR TELESCOPE, SCIENTISTS CAPTURED HIGHLY DETAILED MEASUREMENTS OF A FADING SOLAR FLARE. THE FINDINGS REVEAL GAPS IN CURRENT MODELS OF HOW FLARES HEAT THE SUN’S LOWER ATMOSPHERE, POINTING TO THE NEED FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE THEORIES.