Since the start of the space age, we found out that our Sun is a dynamic, explosive star. Beautiful magnetic structures, loops and arcades reside above its surface moving on the rhythm of a turbulent solar wind. These magnetic bundles are containers filled with solar energy which can be released during light storms and in huge clouds of solar mass. These solar storms do have an impact Earth. We try to understand the nature and the triggers of these solar storms by watching our dynamical Sun in all possible ways and colours and ‘listen’ to its everlasting wind.
New state-of-the-art telescopes onboard space missions which give the necessary support for this solar research are in the pipe line. We are working very hard on the satellite ‘Solar Orbiter’ that will observe the Sun closer than ever while the duo-satellite PROBA3 will generate the perfect solar eclipse.
The Sun is so much more than our star present in the day sky.
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This lecture will be given in the frame of a series of scientific talks 'Talk Cosmic to me', the itinerant scientific cafe for a space take off! |
