Solar Patrol
Join GAVRT Solar Patrol to probe magnetic connections from sunspots out to the Sun’s corona using a radio telescope.
Welcome to the Solar Patrol Campaign! This initiative, part of the GAVRT program, invites teachers, students, citizen scientists, and space enthusiasts to embark on an incredible journey of discovery and exploration of our closest star, the Sun. Solar Patrol aims to collect data on solar activities to improve knowledge of how the Sun generates space weather and its impact on the Earth.
Solar Patrol’s mission focuses on studying the Sun's surface and atmosphere through detailed raster scans using the DSS-28 antenna. These scans capture data at various frequencies, providing thorough insights into solar phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
GAVRT Solar Patrol
GAVRT Solar Patrol![]()
Why Study the Sun?
The Sun's radiation and magnetic activity influence every aspect of life on Earth, from our climate and weather to technology and communication systems. Click to expand each section and learn why we study the Sun:
Life on Earth
The Sun’s energy drives weather patterns and influences the global climate, affecting everything from agriculture to natural disasters. Also, the Sun's position relative to Earth dictates the changing seasons which impact our ecosystems.
Space Weather
Space weather is when the Sun's surface releases immense amounts of energy, sending charged particles and electromagnetic radiation into space. When directed towards Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms that affect satellites, power grids, and other communication systems.
Technological Impacts
Solar storms can disrupt radio communications, GPS signals, and satellite operations, leading to significant concerns. Geomagnetic storms caused by solar activity can cause power spikes and damage to power grids, leading to widespread blackouts.
Scientific Research
The Sun serves as a natural laboratory for studying the life cycle of stars, providing insights into stellar formation, evolution, and death. Studying the Sun’s magnetic fields helps us understand the connection between sunspots and the solar corona.
How Solar Patrol Works
Our DSS-28 antenna conducts hourly raster scans of the Sun, mapping activities from the surface. These scans, operating at frequencies between 3.1 GHz and 14 GHz, allow us to observe different layers of the Sun’s atmosphere. The data collected is then analyzed to create a complete picture of the Sun's solar activity.
- Raster Scans: The DSS-28 antenna moves across the Sun in a grid pattern, capturing detailed images line by line. This process helps us create high-resolution maps of the Sun's surface and atmosphere.
- Frequency Bands: By operating at varying frequencies, we can probe different layers of the Sun. Lower frequencies (3.1 GHz) allow us to observe higher regions of the corona, while higher frequencies (14 GHz) give us insights into the lower layers.
Monitoring the Sun:
Solar Patrol focuses on monitoring the Sun’s activity– this includes solar flares and sunspots using a radio telescope. The data collected helps us understand the magnetic connections from sunspots to the Sun’s corona.
Solar Patrol’s Burning Questions:
- How does our GAVRT radio telescope help us “see” activity on the Sun?
- How do these observations help us understand how the Sun produces space weather?
- How can space weather impact our way of life on Earth?
Why Solar Patrol:
Participants will have the opportunity to identify and analyze active regions for future study using data from UV and X-ray observations in space. Using the GAVRT telescope, DSS-28, participants collect and analyze solar maps that capture active regions in the solar corona.
Solar Patrol Maps:
Supporting NASA's Parker Solar Probe
Solar Patrol supports NASA's Parker Solar Probe (PSP) mission, which is the first satellite to pass through the Sun's atmosphere. By combining ground-based observations with data from the PSP, we aim to detect and analyze CMEs, map the Sun’s magnetic fields, and understand the broader impacts of solar weather on the Earth.
Primary Goals for Solar Patrol:
Scientific Objectives:
- Understand Solar Activity: Improve our knowledge of how the Sun generates space weather and its impact on Earth.
- Contribute to Solar Research: Use GAVRT data in concert with other databases to improve our understanding of space weather.
Educational Objectives:
- Data Collection and Analysis: Educate individuals on the fundamental methods of research and science. Participants learn the essential skills of data collection and analysis, applying these to study the Sun and predict space weather.
- Promote Citizen Science: Teach participants how to examine and report relevant data, contributing to ongoing scientific research and creating a collaborative effort between real science and the public.