Dr. Mark Cheung (CSIRO)

Mark Cheung colloquium: An Introduction to Heliophysics

Marsfield

Abstract

Heliophysics is the study of the Sun and how it influences the space environments around the planets, other solar system bodies and the interstellar medium. The dynamical nature of the Sun’s activity drives space weather and space climate, which in turn impact the viability of life and technological infrastructure in the solar system. The Sun is also a natural laboratory for studying fundamental physical processes common to many astrophysical systems. In this talk, we present multi-wavelength observations for studying solar activity, give a primer on prominent physical processes (e.g. magnetic reconnection), and explore how CSIRO Space & Astronomy can make unique contributions to Heliophysics and space weather.