Southern Illinois University Carbondale is launching an exciting new educational series, "Journey to the Sun," aimed at exploring the sun’s profound influence on Earth and human life.
The series kicks off with Cori Brevik’s presentation, "NASA’s Fleet of Solar Spacecraft," which will provide an in-depth look at NASA's heliophysics spacecraft and their groundbreaking discoveries about the sun and its environment.
Brevik, an associate professor in the School of Physics and Applied Physics at SIU, will share insights into how these spacecraft study solar phenomena, including their impact on weather patterns, agriculture, space weather, and the beautiful displays of auroras.
The series, which runs monthly through April, aims to deepen public understanding of the sun's role in daily life, from obvious influences like weather to the subtler effects of solar activity on communication systems and satellite technologies.
The series is a key part of SIU's SolarSTEAM initiative, funded by a $2.6 million NASA grant.
This initiative seeks to engage the public in heliophysics and promote broader scientific literacy through outreach and education.
Future speakers in the series include Justin Schoof, who will discuss the sun's influence on Earth's climate, and Peggy Hill, who will explore the connection between space weather and the sun.
Upcoming talks are scheduled for September 27, October 25, and December 6.
