astronomy at evergreen, 2003 an update from dr. e.j. zita ([email protected]) wed.8 jan. 2003 at...
TRANSCRIPT
Astronomy at Evergreen, 2003
an update from Dr. E.J. Zita ([email protected])
Wed.8 Jan. 2003 at SPSCC, 8:00 pm
for the Southwest Washington Astronomical Society (SWWAS)
Studying the Sun
• 3-year NASA grant• colleagues at High Altitude
Observatory, Boulder• students study the Sun• Zita calculates equations• Magnetic fields heat the
solar atmosphere• Magnetic outbursts affect
Earth
Magnetic dynamics heat the Sun
Solar atmospheric temperature rises to millions of degrees K!
High Altitude Observatory
• Part of the National Center for Atmospheric Research
• Boulder, CO• Evergreen students and
faculty visit HAO each July• Supercomputer models
calculate magnetic waves• Satellite data from TRACE
and SOHO
Satellite data: photospheric sound waves become chromospheric magnetic waves
SOHO telescope carries
SUMER, which measures ultraviolet (UV) light
UV is bright where • plasma is hot or where• magnetic field is strong
Evergreen Students analyze satellite data with HAO
Supercomputer data: magnetic waves heat the chromosphere
Model sound waves near
magnetic sunspots.
Students write programs to analyze supercomputer data from HAO.
Magnetic waves heat the chromosphere.
Zita calculates magnetic waves
Observations Schematic Mathematical model
x
Magnetic energy travels on twisted magnetic field lines.
Large twists explosive release of magnetic energy.
Magnetic outbursts affect EarthSolar Max:
• more magnetic sunspots• strong and twisted magnetic
fields• magnetic tearing releases
energy and radiation• cell phones go out• great Northern Lights• Solar flares, prominences,
and coronal mass ejections• Global warming• next peak in about 2011
CME movie
Meanwhile, on the ground...
• New little observatory at Evergreen
• Fancier observatory in the planning process
• Goals: observe the Sun, home for Meade LX-200, serve astronomy students, and welcome the public.s
Let’s observe together:
• Spring Astronomy class• Joint star parties?• Share astronomy with local
schools (OHS, BH, CHS)
• email me:
ReferencesNCAR= National Center for Atmospheric Research: http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/ncar/
HAO = High Altitude Observatory: http://www.hao.ucar.edu/public/inside/inside.html
TESC = The Evergreen State College: http://www.evergreen.edu
Dr. E.J. Zita: [email protected], http://192.211.16.13/z/zita/home.htm
SOHO = Solar Heliospheric Observatory: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/
SUMER = Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation: http://www.linmpi.mpg.de/english/projekte/sumer/