Center for Astrophysics Research and Technologies Seminar Series
A Brief History of Observing Solar Magnetic Fields
Presented by Carl Henney (AFRL)
Living in the southwest and experiencing the local radiative environment of the Sun can seem daunting at times, especially during summer. However, having a front-row seat to a yellow dwarf main-sequence star has its perks. Our proximity to the Sun allows us to study the spatial distribution and evolution of magnetic fields on the surface of a star in extraordinary detail. Sunspots, dark regions observed on the surface of the sun, are examples of large areas with strong magnetic fields. Depending on a sunspot’s magnetic complexity and dynamics, an active region can result in solar flares and/or coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The magnetic fields of the Sun and solar wind generate a dynamic space environment throughout our solar system and beyond. For over 60 years magnetograms have been key to imaging the surface magnetic fields of the Sun. This presentation will provide historical background leading up to the origination of magnetograms, including sunspot drawings by Galileo Galilei to the detection of solar magnetic fields by George Ellery Hale.
2:00 pm, Thursday, October 5, 2023
PAIS-3205, PAIS
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A schedule of talks within the Department of Physics and Astronomy is available on the P&A web site at http://physics.unm.edu/pandaweb/events/index.php