Operation of the Sunspot Solar Observatory by the SSO Consortium

作为离我们最近的恒星，太阳为研究银河系中恒星的运行过程提供了一个重要的实验室。太阳也是影响地球上人类生活的太空天气的主要驱动力。位于太阳黑子区的太阳黑子天文台（SSO）自1947年以来一直用于研究太阳。它最初是美国空军的一个设施，1976年至2016年由美国国家科学基金会的国家太阳天文台运营。2016年，天文台的运营移交给了SSO联盟，这是一个由新墨西哥州立大学（NMSU）领导的大学合作组织。Dunn太阳望远镜（DST）自1969年投入使用以来，是世界上最好的对太阳进行全面观测的仪器之一。DST配备了多种现代仪器，用于多共轭自适应光学、宽带成像、快速扫描光谱和光谱偏振测量。这种仪器，以及其他最近的升级，将使太阳天文学界的前沿科学成为可能。SSO将为即将到来的Daniel K. Inouye太阳望远镜开发的仪器提供一个测试平台，并为帕克太阳探测器的观测提供支持。SSO的位置为从白沙导弹射程的探空火箭飞行同时观测提供了独特的机会。五个财团成员机构将为研究生提供培训，包括代表性不足的少数民族。这一奖项将使SSO联盟能够将太阳黑子天文台的运行时间延长两年。NSF的资金现在只占全部资金的一小部分，其余的由SSO联盟提供，包括成员机构和新墨西哥州。在2017 - 2019财年，联盟编制了科学计划，聘请了人员，并对DST进行了升级。未来两年将用于进行观测和提供数据，以支持四个科学目标：1)太阳灯丝磁场的天气图，以支持空间天气研究；2)太阳爆发事件监测；3)协调机会目标，以支持白沙导弹靶场的探空火箭和帕克太阳探测器；4) pi领导的涉及联盟成员机构的科学调查。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

As our closest star, the Sun provides an important laboratory to study the processes that govern stars in our Galaxy. The Sun is also the primary driver for the space weather that impacts human life on Earth. The Sunspot Solar Observatory (SSO) in Sunspot, NM has been used to study the Sun since 1947. Originally a US Air Force facility, it was operated by the National Solar Observatory for the National Science Foundation from 1976 to 2016. In 2016, operation of the observatory passed to the SSO Consortium, a university-based collaboration led by New Mexico State University (NMSU). The Dunn Solar Telescope (DST), operational since 1969, is one of the best instruments in the world for synoptic, full-disk observations of the Sun. DST is equipped with a wide range of modern instrumentation for multi-conjugate adaptive optics, broad-band imaging, rapid-scan spectroscopy, and spectopolarimetry. This instrumentation, along with other recent upgrades, will enable cutting edge science by the solar astronomy community. SSO will provide a testbed for instruments being developed for the upcoming Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and for observations in support of the Parker Solar Probe. SSO's location allows unique opportunities for concurrent observations with sounding rocket flights from the White Sands missile range. The five Consortium member institutions will provide training to graduate students, including underrepresented minorities.This award will allow the SSO Consortium will operate the Sunspot Solar Observatory for two additional years. NSF funding now represents a minority of the overall funding, with the rest being provided by the SSO Consortium, including member institutions and the State of New Mexico. During FY 2017 - 2019, the Consortium compiled a science plan, hired personnel and upgraded the DST. The next two years will be spent performing observations and providing data in support of four science goals: 1) synoptic mapping of solar filament magnetic fields in support of space weather studies; 2) monitoring for solar eruptive events; 3) coordinated targets of opportunity in support of sounding rockets from the White Sands missile range and the Parker Solar Probe; and 4) PI-led science investigations involving Consortium member institutions.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.