Expert: Philip Stahl - 1/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dr. Stahl,
Don't you think it would be worth while to put up another telescope in space that would be, say, 8.4 m (in diameter) like the Giant Magellan Telescope which, as you know, will be installed in Chile? Or, if that is over the top, then a 5 m telescope.

ANSWER: Hello,

It would definitely be worthwhile to put up another space telescope, but I myself would much prefer it to be dedicated to solar observing. We need to know much more about the Sun, especially in respect of the evolution of magnetically- stressed regions with a view to isolating the initial unstable flare volume. Right now, our instruments are operating at the limit of resolution to identify this initial unstable region.

Twenty-five years ago the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) was to act as our "eyes" on the Sun and advance many areas of solar research. I myself had pinned a number of aspects of my then research on it, since one of my model's predictions (for a flare trigger) was based on specifying the size and volume of the original instability location.

Alas, the budget -funding for the SOT was cut, and the rest as they say, is history.

So yes, another space-based telescope by all means - but solar directed. That is what is needed right now.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well now is the time to contact President Obama about this. He is way more receptive to scientific endeavors than the last one was. He is listening to us at change.org.
Thanks for you answer.

Answer
Hello,

Actually, in the current parlous economic environment, I believe that any SOT-type project (costing tens of billions) would be FAR down the priority list of President Obama.

He has much bigger fish to fry including getting credit flowing again, and making targeted cuts for a federal budget already facing a deficit predicted to reach $11 trillion very soon.

I am 100% certain his OMB director (Pete Orszag) will not smile with beneficence on adding $22 billion (or more) to the already tight budget for a solar optical telescope when there are thousands more pressing needs at an "earthier level".

Yes, the new administration will be open to more scientific endeavors, but these will revolve around mitigating greenhouse gases, and alternative energy (e.g. solar, wind etc.) projects - not launching a new telescope into the skies, which will have only limited value to most citizens.

It is a nice thought though, and one to keep in mind as the primary economic problems and recession eventually get solved! (One hopes!)