Public Lecture: Solar Maximum

Welcome to 'Discover Our Universe' at KIPAC! This is a series of free, public lectures in astrophysics. The lectures are designed with the general public in mind, and are fun, easy to understand, and engaging.
With dazzling aurorae lighting up the night sky across the US in recent months, the Sun's increasing activity has become more apparent than ever. These awe-inspiring and far-reaching light shows are tied to the increased solar activity as we move deeper into Solar Cycle 25. In this lecture, we will explore the dynamic behavior of our Sun and its 11-year solar cycle. Specifically, Dr. Oana Vesa will focus on the effects of solar maximum, a period of heightened solar activity that manifests through increased sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. Beyond generating spectacular aurorae, increased solar activity has the potential to disrupt and interfere with our technological infrastructure, including satellites, GPS, and power grids. Dr. Vesa will also briefly discuss connections between the Sun's solar cycle and those observed in other stars. Lastly, she will summarize results from cutting-edge solar missions that reveal unprecedented insights into the behavior of our Sun.
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