According to the Big Bang theory, the universe began some 15 billion years ago with an enormous explosion of primeval matter, and has been expanding and cooling ever since. The remnant heat radiation of this explosion can now be detected as very weak radio noise coming from all directions in space. A fundamental problem is how the once homogeneous, expanding gas gave rise to the current, lumpy distribution of stars and galaxies. Solar temperatures range from about 5,500 degrees Celsius at the solar surface to two million degrees at a higher level known as the corona. In the corona, strong magnetic fields guide and constrain ionized gas.
Solar flares occur when the energy stored in the tangled magnetic fields explosively releases.
Electrons in these fields generate radio emission at wavelengths dependent on the strength of the field. The solar interferometer can be tuned rapidly to many different wavelengths so magnetic fields of different intensities can be seen almost simultaneously. Scientists can then determine the way in which these fields emerge, strengthen, entangle themselves, perhaps fire, and then decay. Graduate student research with the instruments at Owens Valley has been extensive. Long-term commitments of observing time have been available to students enabling more innovative and comprehensive projects than would have been possible at a national observatory.