Chinese telescope for advanced solar research now operational

The world's first solar magnetic-field telescope operating in the mid-infrared wavelength range has recently passed national acceptance and is now officially operational, bridging a gap in international mid-infrared solar magnetic field observations.

This telescope, known as the Accurate Infrared Magnetic Field Measurements of the Sun, or AIMS, features an off-axis optical system design. Led by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, its key components are fully domestically produced, further enhancing China's capability for independent innovation in astronomical instrumentation.

The national acceptance of the telescope has signified its transition from the construction phase to the scientific output phase. The observational data from this telescope will provide crucial support for advanced research in solar physics and space weather forecasting in China.