The Solar Observing Optical Network (SOON) consists of three U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) solar observatories.[1] AFWA operates a solar telescope at each site to monitor solar active regions at optical wavelengths. The National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) archives histograms of intensity versus area every minute for the active regions. It also archives magnetograms of the magnetic field structure and tachograms of plasma velocities on an irregular schedule.[2]
The SOON observatories are operated by detachments of AFWA's 2nd Weather Group at the following sites:[1]
RAAF Learmonth, Western Australia, Australia 22°14′30″S114°04′54″E / 22.24180°S 114.08156°E / -22.24180; 114.08156
Holloman AFB, New Mexico, USA 32°49′53″N106°06′59″W / 32.83130°N 106.11646°W / 32.83130; -106.11646
San Vito dei Normanni Air Station, San Vito dei Normanni, Italy (contractor-run site) 40°38′40″N17°50′33″E / 40.64433°N 17.84262°E / 40.64433; 17.84262
Telescopes at Palehua, Hawaii and Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico have been shut down.
SOON Telescope History: The original SOON network was designed by Dr. Richard B. Dunn, a Harvard educated engineer/astrophysicist. Dr. Dunn commissioned the Tower Telescope (later designated the Dunn Solar Tower) on Sacramento Peak, Sunspot, NM in the late 60s. The SOON network of 5 solar telescopes was built at Sunspot for the USAF working with international partners at far flung sites. The Dunn Solar Tower at Sunspot, NM will potentially be idled when the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope, or DKIST, is commissioned on Maui.
There is an active Consolidated Repair Activity (CRA) based out of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico which is operated by the 49th Communications Squadron. The CRA provides depot-level maintenance and support to the SOON program. The CRA also develops maintenance procedures, institutes physical (non-software) updates, and overhauls all three telescopes on a regular basis.
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