Owens Valley Solar Array

The Owens Valley Solar Array is an observation facility with 13 antennas and a 27-meter calibration antenna designed to track electromagnetic signals. The equipment operates across frequencies between 1 and 18 GHz, allowing continuous measurements of the sun and space weather patterns.

The facility came under the management of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which took over operations in 1997 and expanded research capabilities. This transition marked a turning point in how the observatory was used and developed for scientific work.

The observatory stands on land that holds deep significance for the Big Pine Paiute Tribe, whose ancestors have lived in the eastern Sierra Nevada for generations. Visitors can sense the connection between this modern research facility and the region's indigenous heritage.

Visitors should prepare for a technical research environment and follow safety guidelines when present at the facility. Access typically requires advance permission since the site conducts active observations and research work.

The facility uses dual-polarization capabilities across multiple antennas, an advanced technique that enables more precise and detailed measurements of solar phenomena. This specialized measurement method helps scientists capture subtle changes in solar activity that would be invisible to simpler instruments.