The Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) is dedicated to studying the Sun, focusing on solar phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, prominences, and magnetic fields. Located on Big Bear Lake in Southern California, it is operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The observatory's 1.6-meter aperture Goode Solar Telescope (GST) is one of the most advanced solar telescopes in the world. The GST, equipped with an advanced adaptive optics system and state-of-the-art instrumentation, plays a vital role in understanding solar dynamics and their impact on Earth's climate and space environment.

2025 Call for Observing Proposals

For the 2025 premium observing season (Apr 15 - Oct 31), the BBSO Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC) invites proposals for observing with GST. The deadline is March 31, 2025. The proposal should be submitted via online submission form.

Meanwhile, all of our existing data is open to the community. The data availability with quick look movies and a data request form can be found here .

Description of GST and its instrumentation is available here.

BBSO Research Outline

Solar Magnetic Fields:

We track the evolution of sunspots and active regions, analyzing their magnetic structures.

Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections:

BBSO researchers aim to understand their origins and characteristics.

Sunspot Dynamics:

BBSO studies the formation, growth, and decay of sunspots, as well as their connection to solar cycles.

Solar Corona and Chromosphere:

We capture detailed images of these layers, which are difficult to observe due to the Sun's brightness.

Operation

Observing:

Under normal conditions BBSO conducts solar observations every day between 9am and 3pm.

Observing Proposals:

Researchers from all over the world may submit a request for observations using BBSO facilities.

Partners:

BBSO collaborates with various US and foreign institutions. Our long time partners are the National Solar Observatory (NSO), Seoul National University (SNU) and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI).

Data Center

Online Data Archive:

Limited BBSO data are available real time via our web server.

GST Data Catalog:

We maintain GST catalog allowing to browse all GST data and make a data request.

Data Request Systems:

Our web services allow to request GST and Full Diks H-alpha data for any interested user.

Real Time Data:

BBSO provides access to real time data from full disk H-alpha telescope to monitor solar activity.

Instrumentation

Goode Solar Telescope:

It is one of the largest solar telescopes that performs various measurements of the solar photosphere and chromosphere.

Instrumentation:

BBSO has developed and built various instruments to measure solar magnetic fields and to probe physical properties of the solar atmosphere.

Adaptive Optics (AO):

GST is equipped with several AO systems that allow us to collect high quality solar data even under not the most favorable conditions, thus increasing efficiency of the facility.

News & Media

BBSO News and Press Releases hosted by NJIT

About

Visiting:

Public visits are not available. Accommodations are available for visiting scientists only.

Touring BBSO:

BBSO is offering public tours during summer month in a limited capacity.

Virtual tours:

Our web page offers a virtual tour of the facility.