Stargazing Lecture

Stargazing is dependent on clear weather, but lecture and Q&A happen regardless. Event will occur in-person, with lecture and Q&A additionally live-streamed on YouTube.

For remote viewers, the event will be live-streamed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyyNRpjGScE

7:00–7:45 p.m. - Public Lecture
7:45–8:45 p.m. - Panel Q&A and Guided Stargazing

The Sun throws a tantrum from time to time, sending a powerful eruption of charged particles outward through the solar system known as a coronal mass ejection. Sometimes these outbursts strike the earth's magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms and the beautiful celestial displays known as aurora or the Northern Lights. In 1859, the most intense geomagnetic storm on record, known as the Carrington event, hit Earth. This storm produced an aurora visible as far south as the Caribbean, shutting down telegraph stations all over North America and Europe. Other stars that we observe to host planets, especially red dwarfs, can be much grumpier than the Sun, potentially leading to significantly more energetic and frequent eruptions. In this talk, we explore what we know about stellar tantrums beyond the Solar system, and what it may mean for the development of life around other stars.

About the Series

Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by a Q&A panel and guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech and are Free and open to all. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing and panel Q&A last 60 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.

Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture and panel Q&A take place regardless of weather.

For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.