Window to the Universe

Description

July, 2017 Window to the Universe: "Our Sun: Eclipses, Coronas, and Weather" Prof. Philip Scherrer, Stanford Univ. Dept. of Physics Taylor Observatory, Saturday, July 22, 2017 Abstract for Talk by Prof. Scherrer: "The Sun is not just an essential source of light and heat. It is also the source of "space weather" which causes disturbances in space that can cause many effects on Earth. The most interesting of these solar events takes place in the Sun's corona which is directly visible to humans only during a total solar eclipse. One of these events will take place at the next New Moon. I will describe some of what might be seen during such an eclipse. I will also describe our ongoing observations with The NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory which provides us with real time images of the solar corona and the always visible surface. We make maps of magnetic fields and motion in the photosphere each few seconds, all the time. These provide not just views of what is happening on and above the Sun but also provide us with data to probe the Sun's interior with helioseismology methods. Visit http://sun.stanford.edu for additional information." Telescopic views of Saturn may be excellent on Saturday. Several deep space objects including the ring and dumbbell nebula and star clusters (Messier 4 and 13) in Hercules and Scorpio will be visible in the Taylor telescopes under clear skies. Location: Taylor Observatory, 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville, CA 95451. Admission $5.00 adults, no charge for Lake Co. K-12 students. Additional donations in support of Lake County students are encouraged. Visit the Friends of Taylor Facebook page or phone Friends of Taylor Observatory at (707) 262-4121. Window to the Universe is sponsored by Friends of Taylor Observatory, a CA 501 (c) (3) Corporation promoting STEM education for Lake County Students in cooperation with the Lake County Office of Education, Brock Falkenberg, Superintendent.