New imaging technology developed by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) has enabled the Vacuum Tower Telescope (VTT) in Tenerife to capture unprecedented, high-resolution views of solar activity. The upgrade bridges a long-standing observational gap between wide-field solar monitoring and fine-structure resolution.
The enhanced camera system restores the VTT's full observa by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 21, 2025
New imaging technology developed by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) has enabled the Vacuum Tower Telescope (VTT) in Tenerife to capture unprecedented, high-resolution views of solar activity. The upgrade bridges a long-standing observational gap between wide-field solar monitoring and fine-structure resolution.
The enhanced camera system restores the VTT's full observational field using advanced image reconstruction techniques. Each restored image is synthesized from 100 rapid-exposure frames at 8000 + 6000 pixels, captured at 25 frames per second. This process achieves 8K resolution and compensates for atmospheric turbulence, allowing scientists to resolve structures as small as 100 kilometers on the Sun's surface.
Time-lapse sequences with a temporal resolution of 20 seconds provide insights into dynamic phenomena in active solar regions. The upgraded VTT now supports simultaneous operation with instruments such as HELLRIDE, LARS, and FaMuLUS, maintained by the Thuringian State Observatory, the Institute for Solar Physics, and AIP respectively.
"This kind of multi-instrument synergy is essential to decipher not just the fine-scale structures but also the magnetic evolution within active regions," noted Rolf Schlichenmaier of the Institute for Solar Physics.
The new wide-field solar images span roughly 200,000 kilometers-about one-seventh of the Sun's diameter-revealing extensive sunspot groups and large-scale plasma motion. Typical large solar telescopes offer a narrower field of around 75,000 kilometers. "Our expectations of the camera system were more than fulfilled right from the start," said doctoral researcher Robert Kamlah from AIP and the University of Potsdam.
High-detail G-band observations showed sunspot groupings embedded in supergranular convection patterns, and penumbral filaments displayed complex non-radial magnetic orientations. Using targeted filters, researchers made subtle magnetic structures visible in both the photosphere and chromosphere.
Time series in the Ca II K line at 393.3 nm and the Fraunhofer G-band at 430.7 nm enabled precise tracking of magnetic activity and plasma motion across multiple atmospheric layers. These innovations not only enhance scientific understanding but also improve solar flare monitoring for space weather prediction.
"Our results show how, together with our partners, we are teaching an old telescope new tricks," said Carsten Denker, Head of AIP's Solar Physics Section. He emphasized the future role of affordable 8K CMOS camera systems in expanding the capabilities of upcoming 4-meter-class solar telescopes.
The VTT, a 0.7-meter instrument established in 1988, is operated by a German consortium led by the Institute for Solar Physics in Freiburg, with support from AIP and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen.
Research Report:Wide-field Image Restoration of G-Band and Ca II K Images Containing Large and Complex Active Regions
Related Links
Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)
Solar Science News at SpaceDaily