Solar flares are dramatic explosions in the outer atmosphere of the Sun – the solar corona. They produce electromagnetic radiation and beams of high-energy charged particles, which can have serious detrimental effects on space instrumentation and on power systems and communication on Earth.
Since the first solar flare was observed in 1859, we have learnt a lot about how flares: they result from a release of stored magnetic energy through a reconfiguration of the magnetic field known as “magnetic reconnection”. However, many questions remain unanswered! Our current understanding has advanced through recent observations from space and ground, as well as computer simulations.
In this talk Prof Philippa Browning from University of Manchester will also explain how the surprisingly high temperature of the solar corona (1 million degrees) may result from many small flares, and discuss much more powerful flares which have been discovered on other stars.
Philippa is a Professor of Astrophysics in the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester. She specialises in the mathematical modelling of fusion plasmas.
Monday 20th February. 18:45 start.
FREE admission
The Albert Club
Old Lansdowne Road
West Didsbury
Manchester M20 2PA
