China has officially commissioned the world’s first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope, marking a significant leap in astronomical research. The Accurate Infrared Magnetic Field Measurements of the Sun (AIMS), developed by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), has successfully passed its final acceptance review. Located in Lenghu township, Qinghai province, at an altitude of 4,000 meters, the telescope benefits from optimal viewing conditions despite the harsh environment. AIMS addresses a critical gap in mid-infrared solar magnetic-field observations, transitioning from indirect inference to direct detection, thereby enhancing measurement precision. The telescope’s domestically designed components, including the infrared spectrograph and imaging camera, have improved the accuracy of direct solar magnetic-field measurements to over 10 gauss. During its trial phase, AIMS captured mid-infrared flare data across multiple bands, offering new insights into solar eruptions and magnetic energy dynamics. Now operational, AIMS is poised to support advanced solar-physics research in China, bolstering the nation’s capabilities in solar-activity monitoring and space-weather forecasting.
