The NCSU Libraries and NC State’s College of Sciences present two events celebrating a large, HD video feed of near-real time solar activity
The NCSU Libraries and NC State College of Sciences will host a talk by scientists from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) about the breathtaking Dynamic Sun solar feed project on Thursday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Commons Wall in the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, where the high-definition, near-real time video image of the sun will be exhibited through March 13.
SAO astrophysicist Henry “Trae" Winter and engineer Peter Cheimets will discuss the development of “The Dynamic Sun” project, which displays solar flares, loops, sunspots, and other solar activities at a startlingly crisp resolution. The free, public event will also feature a short talk about heliophysics by Steven W. Clarke, Heliophysics Division Director at NASA.
Before the Dynamic Sun talk, join us at 6:30 p.m. in the iPearl Immersion Theater on the second floor of Hunt Library. Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor John Blondin, head of the NC State physics department and astrophysics group, will be showing a series of videos produced by students in the intensive 10-week Undergraduate Research in Computational Astrophysics (URCA) summer program. Currently featured URCA projects include a simulation of x-ray and gas activity in the binary solar system Vela X-1 and an animated model that shows the expansion of a supernova 13,000 light-years away.
The following morning, Friday, February 12, from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., in the West Wing Auditorium of D. H. Hill Jr. Library, Winter and Cheimets will lead a seminar about turning scientific “big data” into visuals and other outcomes that make that data accessible and more meaningful to a wider audience. They will also discuss the collaborative process and how scientists and engineers can strengthen cross-disciplinary projects.
The events at the NCSU Libraries commemorate the sixth anniversary of NASA’s launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory.
About “The Dynamic Sun” project
NASA launched the Solar Dynamics Observatory in 2010. From 22,000 miles above the Earth, the orbiter’s Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA)—a powerful set of four parallel telescopes—takes photos of the sun every 10 seconds, allowing continuous observation of the Sun and simultaneous download of about two terabytes of data each day. The goal of the project is to learn more about how events on the Sun might be linked to changes on Earth. “The Dynamic Sun” visualization—a high-resolution, 7x6-foot video wall that colorizes the Sun’s image according to surface temperature—is now a popular exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum through 2019.
About the guest speakers
Contact
Marian Fragola, NCSU Libraries Program Planning and Outreach Director, 919-513-3481, marian_fragola@ncsu.edu
About the NCSU Libraries
The NCSU Libraries is the gateway to knowledge for the NC State University community and its partners. The Libraries' collections reflect the historic strengths of the University as well as its vision for the future. With extensive research holdings in the areas of engineering, science, technology, and agriculture, the NCSU Libraries is recognized as a national leader.
About the College of Sciences at NC State
The College of Sciences makes NC State the university of choice for diverse, high-performing students, faculty, and researchers from around the world. They are committed to solving society’s biggest problems.