Global Automatic Telescopes Exploring the Sun (GATES): building a new network for synoptic space weather observation

This dissertation is an effort to add to technology for space weather monitoring and prediction through the introduction of a new network of ground-based telescopes. This network, Global Automatic Telescopes Exploring the Sun (GATES), currently consists of two nodes, the Tor Vergata Synoptic Solar Telescope (TSST) and the Mojave Solar Observatory (MSO). Both instruments are designed as low-cost, robotic facilities that use Magneto-Optical Filter (MOF)-based instruments to acquire full-disk, simultaneous line-of-sight (LoS) velocity and magnetic field maps (Dopplergrams and magnetograms, respectively). The TSST employs two channels: a potassium K I D1 769.6 nm centered MOF for photospheric Doppler- and magnetogram observations and a narrowband Hα Daystar telescope for chromospheric intensity images. MSO consists of a dual-MOF-based telescope with channels centered on K I D1 769.6 nm and sodium Na I D2 589.0 nm for photospheric and low-chromospheric Doppler- and magnetogram observations, respectively. Additionally, the GATES team at MSO has developed and tested a helium He I 1083 nm MOF for probing the velocity and magnetic field dynamics of the upper chromosphere. The two active GATES nodes are mounted at locations separated by∼150° of longitude to enable near-synoptic observations to contribute to solar physics research and space weather monitoring/prediction. To show a proof-of-concept for this multi-nodal MOF-based network, GATES conducted a successful three-phase observing campaign during the summer of 2025: Phase 1: dual-site observing with the TSST and MSO, Phase 2: extended dual-height observing with MSO, and Phase 3: He MOF observing. Overall, this dissertation details the design, construction, preliminary observing campaign, and novel developments of the GATES Network. The success of the dual-site GATES observing run and the He I 1083 nm observations exhibits the notable impact the GATES Network can have on solar physics and space weather research.