How Do We Study The Sun?

U.S. National Solar Observatory: The observatory has two major optical facilities, called the Dunn Solar Telescope (Sacramento Peak) and the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope (Kitt Peak). Luckily for the public, both are open to visitors. The observatory also is part of the Global Oscillation Network Group, which looks at acoustic waves inside the Sun using six stations spaced around the world.

Big Bear Solar Observatory's New Solar Telescope can view features on the Sun that are as small as 50 miles (80 kilometers) across. It saw "first light" in 2010 and for now, is the largest aperture solar telescope at 1.6 meters across.

For future-casting, look at the 4.24 meter Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and four-meter European Solar Telescope.