NSF Home IMAGE LIBRARY HOME Contact NSF Image Library How to Use the NSF Image Library
Image Search


IMAGE SEARCH
ALL IMAGES
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY
NEWS IMAGES
NSF SENIOR STAFF
OTHER PHOTO SOURCES
Image: This computer-generated image shows an acoustic wave resonating in the interior of the sun. Similar to a sound wave when it moves through the air, the solar acoustic wave moves through the gaseous sun in the form of alternating zones of compression and rarefaction. At the same time, they displace solar gases—regions shown in red are momentarily receding with respect to the viewer and regions in blue are approaching. Although such waves resonate deep within the sun, they generate oscillations at the surface that can be detected from the earth.<BR> <BR> This image was generated as part of the National Science Foundation-supported GONG (Global Oscillation Network Group).<BR> <BR> <U><B>More about this Image:</B></U><BR> The Global Oscillation Network Group--or GONG, is an international project led by the National Science Foundation that provides continuous observations of the sun, monitoring the surface and tracking its tiny oscillations 24 hours a day. These oscillations are visual evidence of the sound waves traveling through the sun's interior. The science of studying wave oscillations in the Sun is called Helioseismology.<BR> <BR> Helioseismology utilizes waves that propagate throughout the Sun to measure for the first time, the invisible internal structure and dynamics of a star. In order to exploit this new technique, GONG has developed a six-station network of solar velocity imagers located around the Earth to obtain continuous observations of the oscillations of the Sun. The six sites comprising the GONG Network include (a) in the United States, the Big Bear Solar Observatory, Big Bear City, California, and the High Altitude Observatory, Mauna Loa, Hawaii; in Western Australia, the Learmonth Solar Observatory; in India, the Udaipur Solar Observatory; in the Canary Islands, the Observatorio del Teide; and in Chile, the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory. Thumbnail

Name:

E-mail Address:

Where will the image be used:
NSF requests users to complete an electronic information form documenting the requestor's planned use of the image. This form provides us with valuable tracking information that will help to shape the contents of the image library in the future. We do not retain any personal information (name, email address other than domain name - “.edu,” “.org,” “.com,” “.gov,” etc.) in our files. If you would prefer not to provide your name and email address, type any letter in those boxes. For information about NSF’s Privacy Policy, please see http://www.nsf.gov/home/pubinfo/privacy.htm.


Image Library HomeNSF HomeOffice of Legislative and Public Affairs Home

The National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22230, USA
Tel: 703-292-5111
FIRS: 800-877-8339 ~ TDD: 703-292-5090

Last Modified: Jan 31, 2001