ISTITUTO RICERCHE SOLARI ALDO E CELE DACCO

Their core work

IRSOL is a dedicated solar physics observatory in Locarno Monti, Switzerland, operating specialized telescopes to observe and measure the Sun's magnetic fields, radiation, and atmospheric dynamics. The institute contributes ground-based observational data and technical expertise to the broader European solar research community, with a particular focus on high-resolution solar imaging and spectropolarimetry. They have been involved in the effort to build the 4-metre European Solar Telescope (EST), Europe's next flagship solar observatory, both as a participating institution in the preparatory infrastructure phase and as a contributor to the SOLARNET network that integrates European high-resolution solar physics facilities. Their work sits at the intersection of pure astrophysics and applied science — solar observations feed into space weather forecasting and contribute to understanding the Sun's influence on Earth's climate.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the earlier phase (PRE-EST, 2017), IRSOL's H2020 engagement centred on the structural and strategic side of observatory science — governance, procurement, ERIC formation, and coordinating the network of European solar observatories preparing for the EST. By 2019 (SOLARNET), the focus moved deeper into the science itself: magnetism, radiation physics, transnational access to instruments, and connections to space weather and Earth's climate system. The shift is from infrastructure-building to scientific integration and cross-disciplinary application. This progression suggests the institute is moving from being a participating observatory in a planning exercise to a more active contributor to pan-European scientific programmes with real data outputs.

IRSOL appears to be deepening its involvement in collaborative European solar physics networks, especially those linking observational data to applied domains like space weather — a direction that will likely intensify as the European Solar Telescope moves toward construction.

How they like to work

IRSOL has not led any H2020 project — both roles are non-coordinator (participant and third party), which is typical for a small specialist observatory that brings observational infrastructure and domain expertise rather than project management capacity. Despite minimal direct funding (EUR 18,750), they connected with 41 unique partners across 20 countries, which is an unusually broad network for just two projects and suggests they are well embedded in the European solar physics community. Working with them likely means accessing a niche but high-credibility observatory node within a larger consortium rather than a project-driving partner.

IRSOL has reached 41 consortium partners across 20 countries through only two projects, reflecting the naturally large, pan-European consortia that characterise research infrastructure programmes like PRE-EST and SOLARNET. Their geographic spread is broad but rooted in the European solar physics community rather than any single country cluster.

What sets them apart

IRSOL is one of a small number of dedicated ground-based solar observatories in Europe, operating outside the major national science agencies while maintaining recognition within the continent's solar physics network. Being Swiss (non-EU) yet embedded in EU research infrastructure programmes like EST and SOLARNET is itself a distinction — they bring independent observational capacity that complements the facilities of EU member-state institutions. For a consortium building around solar physics, space weather, or solar telescope instrumentation, IRSOL offers specialist credibility and established ties to the European Solar Telescope project that few other organisations can match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PRE-EST
  IRSOL's participation in the preparatory phase of the 4-metre European Solar Telescope — potentially the most significant solar observatory project in Europe — places them inside the core institutional network shaping the continent's solar research infrastructure for the next two decades.
• SOLARNET
  As a third-party contributor to this major Research Infrastructure Action integrating European high-resolution solar physics, IRSOL demonstrates that it provides recognised observational data and facilities even without leading or formally funding the activity.