The Sun in a New Light
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Free, Tickets Required
Discover how current science missions are revealing the mysteries of the Sun
Watch the webcast on Air and Space Live or attend in person:
7:30 pm Meet the lecturer
8:00 pm Lecture begins
9:00 pm Stargazing in the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory, weather permitting
There is the Sun we know. It rises and sets at predictable times. It provides us light and warmth. But the Sun is so much more.
Ground-based and space borne observatories have shown us that the Sun emits at all electromagnetic wavelengths. Spacecraft probing interplanetary space have detected magnetized fountains of charged particles emanating from the Sun’s multi-million degree corona. Seeing the Sun through polarized lenses, we know it is pervaded by magnetic fields.
On the tenth anniversary of the Solar Dynamics Observatory, join Mark Cheung, senior staff physicist at the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, for an exploration of how the latest fleet of science missions from NASA and the National Science Foundation are revealing the mysteries of the Sun. See the Sun in all its true colors (from radio waves to X-rays), learn about its temper tantrums (solar storms), and experience the magnetic bond between the Sun and Earth. Let us learn to live with our star, and learn how our newfound wisdom guides us to finding habitable planets around other stars.
This lecture is free but tickets are required. Reserve your tickets now.
About the Exploring Space Lecture Series
Many Eyes on the Universe
One hundred years ago, astronomers using optical telescopes questioned whether the universe was composed of stars, or of systems of stars called “galaxies.” Since then, this “Great Debate” has shifted to more and more precise questions. The 2020 Exploring Space Lecture Series will feature discussions on some of these questions as we explore the mysteries of the Sun, new information on black holes, and the roles that the Spitzer and Event Horizon telescopes have played in shaping the parameters of this constantly-evolving debate.
The Exploring Space Lecture Series is made possible by the generous support of Aerojet Rocketdyne and United Launch Alliance.
How to attend
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
6th St. and Independence Ave SW. Washington, DC 20560
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