Some Developments in Observational and Theoretical Solar Astronomy Since 1970

Studies of the Sun are widely considered to provide the 'Rosetta Stone' for understanding the broader cosmos. Yet, the field has seldom been entirely appreciated within astronomy. This is surprising given its leadership in the organization of U.S. astronomy and in the development of new observational techniques. We explore some developments since the founding of the Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society in 1970 as observational and theoretical techniques evolved, and note that the evolution towards ever 'Bigger Science' is unlikely to be sustainable. We suggest that future advances may need to rely more on thinking 'outside the box', and put forward some ideas that might prove fruitful in this respect

Astrobiology · Astronomy · Observational astronomy · Physics · History and Developments in Astronomy · Space exploration and regulation