The SST is renowned for its high quality observations and continues to rival contemporary larger aperture telescopes because of its unique combination of extraordinary site characteristics, optical design, adaptive optics and advanced image restoration techniques. Furthermore, it utilises pioneering instrumentation such as the CRISP imaging spectro-polarimeter, a versatile tunable filtergraph that allows fast spectral imaging in the red part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The CHROMIS instrument, the short-wavelength companion of CRISP, became available for use in 2017. CHROMIS provides diffraction-limited spectral imaging in the blue/violet including the Ca H and K lines. This means resolving spatial scales below 100 km and thereby providing an unprecedented window on chromospheric heating at the smallest resolvable scales.
The solar physics group at RoCS has a long tradition of observing with the SST and has an annual quota of more than 40 observing days per year. These are normally distributed over three 2-week observing campaigns in which many RoCS members, including master and PhD students, participate.