Ground-Based Solar Research: An Assessment and Strategy for the Future

	Executive Summary	1
Chapter 1:	Ground-based Solar Research: A Scientific Synopsis	8
	The Sun Among Stars,	8
	Scientific Challenges for Solar Research,	11
	The Role of Ground-based Programs in a Balanced Program of Solar Research,	12
Chapter 2:	Assessment of Current and Approved Ground-based Solar Research Programs	15
	Major Solar Observational Facilities,	15
	The National Solar Observatory,	15
	Other Major Solar Optical Observatories,	19
	Major Solar Radio Observatories,	23
	Solar Optical Observatories Outside the United States,	24
	Selected Solar Radio Telescopes Outside the United States,	26
	Discussion,	27
	Data, Theory, and Modeling,	28
	People, Programs, and Institutions,	29
	The Demographics of Ground-based Solar Research,	30
	The Fiscal Context for Ground-based Solar Research,	31
	Research Bases,	33
Chapter 3:	Strategy for the Future	34
	Recommendations Regarding Facilities,	35
	SOLIS,	35
	GONG,	36
	Advanced Solar Telescope,	37
	Exploratory Development—FASR,	42
	Recommendations Regarding Data, People, Programs, and Institutions,	43
	Toward a New National Solar Observatory,	43
	People, Programs, and Institutions,	46
	Appendixes
	A Statement of Task,	A-1
	B Meeting Agendas,	B-1
	C Task Group Biographies,	C-1
	D A Primer on the Sun,	D-1
	E A Frequency-Agile Solar Radio Telescope,	E-1
	F Demographics of Ground-based Solar Research,	F-1
	G Summary of NSF FY 1998 Funding for Solar and Solar-related Research,	G-1
	H A Large-Aperture Solar Telescope,	H-1
	I Infrared Solar Physics,	I-1
	J Solar Magnetism Initiative—A Synopsis,	J-1
	K Acronyms,	K- 1

Contents