To Measure the Sun
Marshall Space Flight Center scientist Ed West assembles the optical system of the Solar Ultraviolet Magnetograph Investigation (SUMI) telescope. SUMI was built by a team of Marshall solar physicists and engineers to measure magnetic fields in the transition region which lies between the sun's surface, or photosphere, and the corona. Generally, the sun's magnetic field is measured only in the photosphere. Observations are far more difficult at higher levels in the sun's atmosphere where solar flares are believed to be triggered. SUMI's specialized optical components were developed to make exploratory measurements in this region. The SUMI launch is scheduled for August 2008.
Image Credit: NASA