Operation of the Sunspot Solar Observatory by the SSO Consortium

作为离我们最近的星星，太阳提供了一个重要的实验室来研究银河系中恒星的运行过程。太阳也是影响地球上人类生活的空间天气的主要驱动力。位于新墨西哥州太阳黑子的太阳黑子观测站（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，从1976年到2016年由国家科学基金会的国家太阳天文台运营。2016年，天文台的运营交给了SSO联盟，这是一个由新墨西哥州州立大学（NMSU）领导的大学合作。 邓恩太阳望远镜（Dunn Solar Telescope，DST）自1969年开始运行，是世界上对太阳进行天气观测的最佳仪器之一。DST配备了广泛的现代仪器，用于多共轭自适应光学，宽带成像，快速扫描光谱学和光谱偏振。这种仪器，沿着其他最近的升级，将使尖端科学的太阳天文学界。SSO将为即将到来的丹尼尔K. Inouye太阳望远镜和支持帕克太阳探测器的观测。SSO的位置为从白色沙滩导弹靶场进行探空火箭飞行的同时观测提供了独特的机会。联合会的五个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联合会能够再运营太阳黑子太阳观测站两年。NSF的资金现在占总资金的一小部分，其余部分由SSO联盟提供，包括成员机构和新墨西哥州。在2017 - 2019财年期间，该联盟编制了科学计划，雇用了人员并升级了DST。今后两年将进行观测并提供数据，以支持四个科学目标：1）绘制太阳灯丝磁场的天气图，以支持空间气象研究; 2）监测太阳爆发事件; 3）协调机会目标，以支持白色沙滩导弹靶场和帕克太阳探测器的探空火箭;以及4）由PI领导的涉及联盟成员机构的科学调查。该奖项反映了NSF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而被认为值得支持。

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.