HAO News

HAO News

Alfred De Wijn and Roberto Cassini installing ViSP

First Observation of Chromospheric Waves in a Sunspot by DKIST/ViSP

The first scientific paper using data from the Visible SpectroPolarimeter (ViSP) has been published. The Inouye Solar Telescope's ViSP reveals new insight into the magnetic properties of waves and shocks as observed as "umbral flashes" within a small sunspot.

ViSP was developed at HAO and this publication is co-authored by HAO scientists Roberto Casini, Alfred de Wijn, and Philip Judge.

Erupting prominence

2023 UCAR/NCAR Summer Program: Heliophysics

The Heliophysics Summer School is run by NASA's Living With a Star program and UCAR/CPAESS since 2007; focusing on the physics of space weather events.
Apply for this summer 2023—deadline is
3 March 2023, see website.

We regret that the Space Weather Summer School is not meeting in 2023, but we hope to resume in 2024.

Mary Hudson smiling in front of a observatory building at Dartmouth College

Mary Hudson Named Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest aerospace professional society, has selected Dartmouth professor and HAO Senior Research Associate Mary Hudson to be a member of the Class of 2023 AIAA Associate Fellows.

The citation reads: For a lifetime of leading studies and understanding of the radiation environment of Earth’s magnetosphere and the implications for successful operations of space systems.

Mauna Loa November 2022 eruption

Hawaii's Mauna Loa Erupts after 38 years; Mauna Loa Solar Observatory temporarily closed

After 38 years, Hawaii's Mauna Loa erupted on Sunday 27 November 2022 at 11:30 PM local time. The eruption quickly filled the summit caldera forcing lava to spill and flow outward in an east and west direction. While the exact timing was a surprise, the eruption was anticipated due to recently felt earthquakes. Lava flows east of the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO) have destroyed parts of the access road to the observatory and knocked out all power to the site. MLSO is not near any lava flows and not in any immediate danger.

Charlie outdoors at Mauna Loa with windswept hair

Remembering Charlie Garcia

Charlie J. Garcia passed away comfortably on 11/19/21 at age 91 surrounded by his caring family members. There is a celebration of his life on Saturday, November 5, 2022 in Hilo, HI. The High Altitude Observatory (HAO) at National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) would like to honor Charlie’s life with the following photographic highlights from his long career as the Mauna Loa Chief Observer.

The Sun: Myths and Magnetism

Watch the BBC's Interview with Philip Judge—The Sun: Myths and Magnetism

This upcoming BBC news broadcast includes commentary from HAO's Phil Judge & Claire Raftery at NSO is titled The Sun: Myths and Magnetism. We provide you with options for viewing.

Sarah Gibson smiling

Sarah Gibson is a 2022 AGU Fellow

HAO is absolutely thrilled to announce that our very own Sarah Gibson has become an AGU Fellow in the 2022 class as just released on 19 September by EOS Science News! Please join us in congratulating her on a well-deserved recognition of an impactful and successful career. 

Mapping eastward & westward plasma flows

EOS Special Highlight Editors Feature Dr. Dong Lin's Recent AGU Article

Dr. Dong Lin's research article titled “Origin of Dawnside Subauroral Polarization Streams During Major Geomagnetic Storms,” was featured this month as an EOS Editor's Highlight. Fewer than 2 percent of papers are highlighted in this way.

Smiling group of Spectropolarimetry school students and lecturers taken on the outdoor patio at Center Green 1 building.

2nd Successful Spectropolarimetry School

The High Altitude Observatory and the National Solar Observatory organized their second successful Spectropolarimetry School in Boulder, Colorado. This two-week school presented an overview of the field of solar spectropolarimetry and its use for observing the Sun.