The Wilcox Solar Observatory
The Wilcox Solar Observatory
| WSO Data: | Mean Field | Magnetograms | Synoptic Charts | Coronal Model | Tables | Other |
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The Wilcox Solar Observatory began daily observations of the Sun's global magnetic field in May 1975, with the goal of understanding changes in the Sun and how those changes affect the Earth; this is now called space weather. Since 1976 low-resolution maps are also made of the Sun's magnetic field each day, as are observations of solar surface motions. The observatory is located in the foothills just west of the Stanford University campus.
Current research topics include space weather, helioseismology, and the solar cycle; The staff are closely associated with the Solar Oscillations Investigation that uses the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) instrument on the SOHO spacecraft to observe the inside of the Sun.
Information is available concerning Solar Observatories Group, Astronomy, and Astrophysics at Stanford, the SOI-MDI project, and schedules for various local seminars.
Currently all WSO support comes from NASA. Traditionally WSO was supported by the ONR, NASA, and the NSF. The observatory is directed by Prof. P.H. Scherrer.
Pictures of WSO, staff members and other local wildlife.
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Visit the SOLAR Center
-- our award winning educational web site providing on-line activities to
encourage and share the wonder of solar science exploration.
You can also learn about Space Science at Windows to the Universe or The Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere or about some topics in astronomy in general at From Stargazers to Starships. |
The Sky Above
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WSO Solar Magnetic Field Observations
| Most recent WSO Magnetogram |
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sn=9244 time=2008:05:14_23h:09m:24s CT2070:342 trouble=40000000 sky= 1 NOTE: 24 do not use for anything! |
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