Events for October 23 - September 27, 2023

Delve into the beautiful phenomenon of the Northern and Southern Lights! NASA@ My Library/STAR Net is joined by Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald and Laura Edson of Aurorasaurus: a participatory science project that uses web reports to map auroras. Learn more about aurora science, get an introduction to the Aurorasaurus project, create your own aurora chalk art, and discuss ways to bring this topic to your library’s programs. Aurorasaurus is a research project that is within the New Mexico Consortium, supported by the National Science Foundation and NASA. Watch Recorded Webinar View Presentation Slides Download Link Bank Download Chat Transcript [...]

Did you know that the Sun goes through its own phases? Approximately every 11 years, the Sun’s magnetic field goes through a cycle where the magnetic field completely flips, meaning that the Sun’s north and south poles switch places! The solar cycle affects activity on the Sun’s surface, and we are currently reaching the point in the cycle where solar activity is at its peak. This means more sunspots, solar flares, and geomagnetic storms resulting in beautiful displays of auroras! It also means more disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field, which can affect the electrical power grid, spacecraft operations, and radio signals. [...]