Solar Science
Ground Facilities
2012 – Solar Ground Observatories
Ground-based telescopes also play a key role in studying the Sun, monitoring it for sunspots, flares, and other activity. China is planning to develop the world’s largest solar telescope, called the Chinese Giant Solar Telescope (CGST). While current solar telescopes are typically no more than 1 meter (3.3 feet) in diameter, the CGST will be up to 8 meters (26.2 feet) in diameter.