Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) |
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| Organization | NSO Integrated Synoptic Program (NISP) |
|---|---|
| Location | Big Bear Solar Observatory, California |
| Altitude | 2063.1 m |
| Built | 2003 |
SOLIS stands for Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun. It is a special set of tools that watch the Sun for a very long time. The National Science Foundation (NSF) pays for it, and the National Solar Observatory (NSO) built it. The NSO Integrated Synoptic Program (NISP) operates SOLIS.
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What is SOLIS?
SOLIS is like a super-observatory for the Sun. It uses three main instruments that work together. These tools help scientists understand how the Sun changes over time. This is important because the Sun's activity can affect Earth.
The Three Main Instruments
SOLIS has three important tools. They are all mounted on one platform. These tools are the Vector Spectromagnetograph (VSM), the Integrated Sunlight Spectrometer (ISS), and the Full-Disk Patrol (FDP).
Vector Spectromagnetograph (VSM)
The VSM makes daily maps of the Sun's magnetic field. It shows both how strong the magnetic field is and which way it points. The VSM looks at two parts of the Sun. These are the photosphere (the Sun's visible surface) and the chromosphere (the layer above the surface). This tool helps continue a 40-year record of watching the Sun's magnetism.
Integrated Sunlight Spectrometer (ISS)
The ISS collects light from the entire Sun at once. It makes the Sun look like a very distant star. Data from the ISS and VSM are useful for studying exoplanet systems. Exoplanets are planets outside our solar system. This helps scientists understand how a star's magnetic field affects its light. It also gives clues about how active a star is. This activity can affect its exoplanets.
Full-Disk Patrol (FDP)
The FDP takes full-disk pictures of the Sun. It uses different types of light, called spectral lines. It can take pictures very quickly, sometimes every 10 seconds.
Where is SOLIS Located?
SOLIS has moved a few times. It was first on top of a building at Kitt Peak National Observatory. This was until July 2014. Then it moved temporarily to the University of Arizona Agricultural Farm. This was from 2014 to 2017. Now, SOLIS is being permanently moved to the Big Bear Solar Observatory in California.
Why is SOLIS Important?
Once SOLIS is fully working again, it will provide unique observations of the Sun. It will keep watching the Sun for many decades. This helps scientists understand the solar activity cycle. It also helps them learn about sudden energy releases in the Sun's atmosphere. SOLIS also studies changes in solar irradiance (the Sun's energy output). All these studies help us understand how the Sun affects global changes on Earth.
