“The Dynamic Sun” Combines Solar Physics and Visualization

Coronal loops are found around sunspots and in active regions. They are associated with the closed magnetic field lines that connect magnetic regions on the solar surface. Energetic particles spinning along magnetic field lines make visible to us. Many coronal loops last for days or weeks, but most change quite rapidly. Credit: Solar Dynamics Observatory/NASA.

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

  • Henry “Trae" Winter is an astrophysicist with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). He has worked on eight NASA missions to observe the Sun. Dr. Winter also designs video wall exhibits that have been featured at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Harvard Art Museum’s Lightbox Gallery.
     
  • Peter Cheimets is a Senior Engineer with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory who has managed a variety of NASA-funded solar missions. He is an internationally recognized expert on high resolution, space-based telescope design and fabrication and is an integral member of the SDO Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) team.
     
  • Steven W. Clarke is the Director of the NASA Heliophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. He is responsible for the formulation and implementation of a national research program for understanding the Sun and it interactions with the Earth and the Solar System and how these phenomena impact life and society. The study of heliophysics attempts to understand the nature of space itself and how the magnetic fields and particles pervading space are affected by the star we live with — the Sun. Near Earth, such effects are known as space weather, which can interfere with our radio communications and satellite technology. Knowledge of our space environment also provides useful information for space travel and sheds light on the forces that forged the planets.


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.