The US National Science Foundation (NSF) will award more than $4.3 million to the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) for advancing knowledge on the Sun, and adding improvements and upgrades to the Big Bear Telescope (BBT). The installation will receive a new cryogenic infrared spectrograph, which will considerably boost the observatory's ability to study solar energy and the Sun itself. The money is provided to the Institute through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

A number of researchers have been awarded grants for investigation of solar phenomena. One of these experts is NJIT distinguished professor of Physics Philip R. Goode, who will fund the acquisition of the new spectrograph. HE was awarded $1,31 million. The instrument will advance the BBT beyond the capabilities of all other solar observatories that operate in the United States at this point. Dale Gary, also a distinguished professor of physics at the Institute, will upgrade instrumentation at the Owens Valley Solar Array. This is the only solar-dedicated radio observatory in the country. THe expert received $890,000.

Additional funds, about $150,000, went to Andrew Gerrard, an NJIT associate physics professor. The money will be used to further investigations of solar-wind energy, as well as knowledge on our planet's magnetic field lines. Physics research professor Ju Jing will use his share of the funds ($278,000) to study free magnetic energy, which is usually associated with solar explosive phenomena. Additionally, he will also investigate the Sun's coronal magnetic configurations, and the evolutionary path they took to get to the point they are at now.

NJIT is New Jersey's science and technology university. It enrolls more than 8,400 students in bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 92 degree programs offered by six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, College of Architecture and Design, College of Science and Liberal Arts, School of Management, Albert Dorman Honors College and College of Computing Sciences. The institute is renowned for expertise in architecture, applied mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics, advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural engineering and e-learning.

In 2009, Princeton Review named NJIT among the nation's top 25 campuses for technology and among the top 150 for best value. US News & World Report's 2010 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT in the top tier of national research universities.