Tyndall Lecture 2008

Institute of Physics in Ireland

23 January 2008

Tyndall Lecture 2008

Living with a star

Dr Robert Walsh, Centre for Astrophysics, University of Central Lancashire, UK

Our Sun may appear tranquil and constant but is it in fact a seething ball of million degree electrified gases. Recently the view of our closest star has been transformed due to several dedicated, space-based observatories. Using the latest images and movies, Dr Walsh will track the flow of energy from the initial nuclear reactions at the heart of the star right down to our own terrestrial environment. In particular, it now possible for us to observe the Sun in stereoscopic 3D! Along the way, we will listen to the Sun as it rings like a bell and investigate how the Sun’s magnetic field changes dramatically every eleven years. Then surfing along in the solar wind, we’ll explore whether the Sun really is the “ultimate neighbour from hell” as together we'll run for cover from solar storms and try to predict the effect of space weather upon Planet Earth.

For more information and venue details please click here.

^ To the top ^