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| Paper: |
Progress Report on a Feasibility Study of a Large Optical/Infrared Solar Telescope (CLEAR) |
| Volume: |
118, First Advances in Solar Physics Euroconference: Advances in the Physics of Sunspots |
| Page: |
340 |
| Authors: |
Beckers, Jacques M.; NSO Staff |
| Abstract: |
With the end of the US participation in LEST, the question of the development of modern, large, ground-based facilities to satisfy the research needs of solar physics in the USA is open. Large telescopes are needed to answer many important science issues. Among these are (i) high angular resolution needed to resolve the scales at which most of the action is in solar magneto-hydrodynamics (ii) access to the infrared part of the solar spectrum wanted to extend the range over physical conditions over which the solar atmosphere is studied (iii) accurate polarization observations needed to measure solar magnetic fields, (iv) high sensitivities, essential to study variations in these and other solar conditions, and (v) coronagraphic capability to observe magnetic fields and small scale structures in the solar corona. CLEAR (Coronagraph and Low Emissivity Astronomical Reflector) is a concept that attempts to combine these qualities in one telescope, 2 to 4 meter in aperture, without compromising the solar science goals. This is a status report on the on-going feasibility study of CLEAR that addresses both technical and budgetary issues. A site survey is being conducted among existing solar sites to identify the optimum location. |
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