National Solar Observatory
Research ServicesColorado, United States51-200 Employees
The National Solar Observatory conducts research to advance understanding of the Sun as both an astronomical object and the dominant external influence on Earth, providing forefront observational opportunities to the solar physics community. It operates cutting-edge facilities and pursues the development of advanced instrumentation through in-house work and partnerships, supporting solar research as well as educational and public outreach activities. It also supplies background synoptic observations that place solar investigations in context across ground-based and space-based platforms and offers research opportunities for undergraduates, graduates, teachers, and high school students. The NSO is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation, for the benefit of the astronomical community. In early 2024, Christoph Keller was appointed as NSO's director.