Lockheed Martin-Built Instruments Ready for Launch on NASA's Solar Dynamics ...
03.02.10
Of the ATC. "Looking at the full Sun in a broad range of temperature bands every 10 seconds will give us unprecedented insight into the processes that determine the evolution of the corona."
The AIA will produce data required for quantitative studies of the evolving coronal magnetic field, and the plasma it holds, both in quiescent phases and during flares and eruptions. The primary goal of the AIA Science Investigation is to use these data, together with data from other SDO instruments and from other observatories, to significantly improve our understanding of the physics behind the activity displayed by the Sun's atmosphere, which drives space weather in the heliosphere and in planetary environments. Ultimately, it is hoped that the greater understanding gained of the observed processes will guide development of advanced forecasting tools needed by the user community of the Living With a Star (LWS) program.
"HMI combined with our partner instruments on SDO – the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly and the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment – will provide us with the data needed to first learn if predictions of solar activity are possible," said Professor Scherrer. "Then, if we and our colleagues in the solar physics community are clever enough, we'll actually develop forecast methods. This is an exciting time for studying the Sun and its impact on the Earth."
Source: PR Newswire (press release)
Patricia Lee Fougère: Terra firma? Not so much
05.02.10
Terra firma isn’t so firm. Even though we take it for granted that the earth will not open up under our feet, the fact is that this fragile planet earth has been rumbling and moving since its creation.
What I learned about this was from a geology course that my husband and I took around the corner at Salem State College.
Such a resource in our own backyard! Especially for a senior citizen: One can audit a class, as I did, and not have to worry about any quizzes. Just pure fun for the love of learning. Since I’ve always had a love affair with rocks — having collected them like shells most of my life on our surrounding rocky beaches — my ode to stone became a meaningful reality after taking this course with Jim Cullen in the Geology Department. Every Saturday morning we would take our coffee jugs and be in attendance at 8 a.m. for a fascinating study.
First of all, I learned about tectonic plates. Because one of my daughters lives in San Francisco and on the San Andreas Fault, I listen up when I hear any “rumbles.” The San Andreas fault line is always making “noises” but there have been no rumbles on the Haitian fault line for 200 years. Besides, there are strict building codes in the San Francisco Bay Area and the buildings can withstand such rumbles.
Source: Salem Gazette
