Physics Dept Seminar

February 24, Monday

Heliophysics in the Solar System and Beyond

Dr. Sofia P. Moschou

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

(Theoretical Solar Physics, Host: Cao)

Time: 11:45 am - 12:45 pm with 11:30 am tea time

SPECIAL ROOM: FMH 408 (**CHANGED**)

The main goal of space weather science is to understand the effects and assess the dangers that the solar wind magnetized plasma, solar energetic particles (SEPs) and solar radiation have on human life and technology. During solar activity events magnetic energy is being transformed to bulk kinetic energy in Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), electromagnetic radiation in flares, direct heating, and acceleration of Energetic Particles (EPs). In the solar paradigm, energetic solar X-ray flares are associated with faster and more massive CMEs, but the exact details of particle acceleration remain widely unknown. Currently, our understanding of energy partition in solar eruptive events is rather incomplete due to the fact that both fluid and particle scales are involved. Multi-wavelength observations can be used to study the magnetic energy transformation and partition in the solar corona. In this talk, I will discuss my work for which I use state-of-the-art numerical codes and synthetic observables to model the complex underlying physics of the CME - flare relation and their impact on human life. Finally, I will present specific applications of my research in studying extrasolar space weather.