Astro2020 Science White Paper: Synoptic Studies of the Sun as a Key to Understanding Stellar Astrospheres

Ground-based solar observations provide key contextual data (i.e., the big picture) to produce a complete description of the only astrosphere we can study in situ: our Suns heliosphere. The next decade will see the beginning of operations of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). DKIST will join NASAs Parker Solar Probe and the NASA/ESA Solar Orbital mission, which together will study our Suns atmosphere with unprecedented detail. This white paper outlines the current paradigm for ground-based solar synoptic observations, and indicates those areas that will benefit from focused attention.