MeerKAT is Ready for Observing the Sun

MeerKAT, a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array, now enables unprecedented spectroscopic snapshot imaging of the Sun, achieving image quality comparable to extreme-ultraviolet observations. The MeerKAT solar observing mode has been demonstrated to be technically ready, supported by a fully automated, end-to-end calibration and imaging pipeline, MeerSOLAR, publicly available via PyPI and capable of producing science-ready data without human intervention. Representative spectroscopic solar images are already available online to whet your appetite. These observations have opened new scientific opportunities ranging from quiet-Sun studies to space-weather investigations, which are described briefly in Kansabanik et al. 2025, Front. Astron. Space Sci. 12:1666743. A few interesting datasets were acquired during the science-verification campaigns in 2023–2024. Interested users are encouraged to contact us for further details and potential use of these observations. The solar observing mode is currently being prepared for full operational deployment. Once commissioned, MeerKAT solar observations will be accessible through the general call for proposals, enabling broad community participation in this new capability. As mentioned earlier, MeerSOLAR, an open-source automated pipeline to image these data, has already been made available for the community.

Contact: Dr. Devojyoti Kansabanik ([email protected]) with cc to Deepan Patra ([email protected]) and Prof. Divya Oberoi ([email protected]).

Devojyoti Kansabanik
On behalf of MeerKAT solar mode commissioning team