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National Solar Observatory

@NatSolarObs

The mission of the National Solar Observatory is to advance knowledge of the Sun, both as an astronomical object and as the dominant external influence on Earth

 outreach@nso.edu
nso.edu
Joined May 2016
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Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)Photo by National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
☀️ Ka Lā | The Sun, the Earth and Us 🌍 We’re proud to share a new @NSF documentary filmed on Haleakalā, Maui! Discover our timeless connection to the Sun and the groundbreaking science at the NSF Inouye Solar Telescope🎬: youtu.be/FKzly6fIGsM #NSFfunded #InouyeSolarTelescope
Ka Lā | The Sun, the Earth and Us

Ka Lā | The Sun, the Earth and Us

Filmed near the top Haleakalā, Maui, Hawai‘i, this documentary expl...

youtube.com
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Solar Activity Report: Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2026 Solar activity remained at low levels throughout the reporting period, with only about ten low-intensity C-class flares observed. Most of these flares originated from a newly emerged active region near the SW limb early in the week.
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NOAA designated this region as AR 14561, and it rotated onto the far side of the Sun on Oct. 28 after crossing the west limb. The region produced the strongest event of the week, a C2.8 flare on Oct. 26. None of the flares were associated with Earth-directed CMEs.
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By unlocking information hidden in existing solar observations, an @NSF NSO-led research team has taken an important step toward revealing the 3D magnetic architecture of the Sun’s atmosphere, and improving our understanding of space weather! nso.edu/blog/new-way-to-map-…
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
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Solar Activity Report: Oct. 19-25, 2026 ☀️ Activity continued to decline as the current solar cycle progressed through its declining phase. (Full report below)
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Activity remained low throug most of the reporting period, with the exception of Oct. 19, when AR 14551, located in the SW quadrant of the solar disk, produced an M1.6 flare, temporarily elevating activity to moderate levels. This was the strongest event recorded during the week.
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Solar Activity Report: Oct. 12 -18, 2026 Solar activity remained predominantly at low levels throughout the reporting period, except on October 16, when activity briefly reached moderate levels following an M1.3 flare from active region 14551, the largest event of the week.
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During the remainder of the period, activity was marked by persistent C-class flaring, including several mid intensity C-class events. By the end of the week, most active regions had rotated into the western hemisphere, leaving the eastern hemisphere largely devoid of sunspots.
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Solar Activity Report: Oct. 5-11, 2026 ☀️ Activity varied substantially, rising from low to high and then returning to low levels. Such variability is typical of the declining phase of the solar cycle, when sudden bursts of enhanced activity are common.
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Approximately 50 C‑class and 7 M‑class flares were observed, with most originating from active region 14549. The strongest event was an M6.7 flare on Oct. 8 from this region, followed by another high‑energy M6.4 flare on Oct. 10.
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☀️ A new 3D solar eruption model wins a NASA award! 🏆 Created by @NSF @NSO, @NASAGoddard & @USNRL, “CHAR” is a revolutionary methodology enabling a new era of reliable #spaceweather forecasting. Read the full story: nso.edu/blog/nasa-award-char…
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Solar Activity Report: Sep. 28-Oct. 4, 2026 ☀️As solar cycle continues its declining phase, magnetic activity has decreased significantly. Solar activity remained at very‑low to low levels throughout the reporting period.
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A few low‑intensity C‑class flares occurred during the first two days, followed by an increase in X‑ray flux on Sep. 30 when Active Region 14535 produced the strongest event of the week: an impulsive C8.6 flare. October 2–3 were the quietest days of the period.
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Two papers from the @NSF NSO engineering team detail vital updates to the NSF Inouye Solar Telescope’s cooling systems. Smart automation upgrades across 7 miles of piping ensure the observatory runs efficiently and sustainably ☀️🛠️ nso.edu/blog/taming-the-sun-…
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
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Solar Activity Report: September 21-27, 2026 Solar activity remained at low levels during the reporting period, with X‑ray flux generally at mid‑B levels except for a few impulsive low C‑class flares.
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Several active regions were present on the visible disk, but most remained relatively quiet, producing little to no significant flaring activity aside from occasional low‑intensity C‑class events.
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What can a nearly 300-year-old solar eclipse teach us about the Sun today? NSF NSO Associate Director Alexei Pevtsov recently co-authored a paper analyzing 18th-century eclipse observations, highlighting why preserving historical data is crucial for studying past solar activity.
AAS Nova (@AASNova) profile pictureAAS Nova@AASNovaSep 23
A New Look at a Centuries-Old Solar Eclipse Handwritten eclipse observations and sketches of solar prominences from 1733 offer researchers a rare window into a data-poor period of solar history. aasnova.org/2026/09/23/a-new…
A New Look at a Centuries-Old Solar Eclipse - AAS Nova

A New Look at a Centuries-Old Solar Eclipse - AAS Nova

Handwritten eclipse observations from 1733 offer researchers a rare window into a data-poor period of solar history.

aasnova.org
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Solar Activity Report: Sep. 14-20, 2026 ☀️ Solar activity during the reporting period remained in the very‑low to low range. At the beginning of the week, all named active regions (AR) were clustered in the western hemisphere, leaving the eastern hemisphere without sunspots.
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Around Sep. 19, new active regions began to appear on the east limb, raising the activity level into the low category. AR 14535, rotating into the Earth‑facing hemisphere, produced the week's first C‑class flare (C3.3) along with a few additional low‑intensity C‑class flares.
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Solar Activity Report: Sep. 7-13, 2026 ☀️ The current solar cycle is now in its declining phase, and high‑energy flares have decreased substantially. Over the past week, the X‑ray flux level did not exceed the C category, with the strongest event being a C5.8 flare on Sep. 12.
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This region produced most of the C‑class activity, accounting for 6 of 15 observed flares. Activity briefly dropped to very low levels on Sep. 11 when the X‑ray flux remained in the B category. A total of four CMEs were detected, none with a significant Earth‑directed component.
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☀️ A summer of science! In partnership with the Akamai Workforce Initiative and Boulder Solar Alliance REU, NSO mentors guided students through cutting-edge solar research and engineering in Hawai‘i & Colorado. Meet the students and explore their projects: nso.edu/blog/summer-of-scien…
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
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What if we could listen to the Sun to reveal its invisible magnetic field? NSO scientist Alin Paraschiv developed a new technique combining polarized light & waves traveling through the Sun’s atmosphere to uncover more info about its coronal magnetic field nso.edu/blog/listening-to-th…
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
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Solar Activity Report: Aug 24-30, 2026 ☀️ Activity varied from very low to medium levels during the reporting period. 7 M‑class flares were recorded during the first 3 days, originating from AR  14513, followed by a gradual decline to low activity.
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Peak activity occurred between midday Aug  24 and midday Aug 26, including the strongest event of the week: an M6.9 flare on Aug  25. In addition, several medium-to-high intensity flares were produced during this period.
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Solar Activity Report: Aug 17-23, 2026 ☀️Activity ranged from low to moderate levels. The first two and last two days were relatively quiet compared to the more active middle portion of the week.
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X‑ray flux remained in the B range with occasional low C‑class flares early on, but increased above B level as newly emerged active region 14513 approached the east limb. This region was the primary source of activity, producing four of the five M‑class flares observed.
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Replying to @NSF
@NSF NSO and the 2026 Total Solar #Eclipse in Spain ☀️🌑 Building on the legacy of Citizen CATE, NSO & @CUBoulder researchers teamed up with @IAC_Astrofisica & @UM6P_officiel in Spain to test hardware and train observers for Project NATE ahead of 2027: nso.edu/news/following-the-s…
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
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Solar Activity Report: Aug 10-16, 2026 ☀️ Activity stayed at very low to low levels this period. X-ray flux was mostly in the B range with a few low-intensity C-class flares. Most days, except Aug 13, produced multiple low C-class events. 🧵
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Aug 16 was the most active day, when active region 14506 generated a C8.2 flare and several other C-class flares, raising X-ray flux to the C level. The latest helioseismic map reveals a medium-sized active region on the far side may rotate into Earth view around Aug 19.
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Here’s a snapshot of today’s partial solar #eclipse as seen by the @NSF-@NOAA GONG station in Tenerife, Canary Islands! @IAC_Astrofisica
Image from National Solar Observatory (@NatSolarObs)
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