Science Café: What’s Behind the Aurora?

Submitted by Jenn Wagaman
Phone: 907-474-5082
11/07/07

The lights of the aurora are the end product of a powerful interaction between the sun and Earth that attracts visitors to Alaska from around the world. In this month’s Science Café, Dirk Lummerzheim of UAF’s Geophysical Institute will shed light on the early days of aurora research at UAF and on projects underway to understand this fascinating phenomenon. The talk will take place Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Alaska Coffee Roasting Company.

Lummerzheim’s research interest lies in the study of auroral processes, auroral arc formation, and the penetration of auroral electrons and protons into the atmosphere and the subsequent optical emissions. He was a visiting scientist at the High Altitude Observatory/National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, in 1990-93 and joined the UAF Geophysical Institute 1993.

The IPY Science Café is brought to you by the University of Alaska IPY Young Researchers’ Network. The network--powered by young scientists from UA campuses across the state--aims to take science off campus through outreach to the general public and students of Alaska. Science Café events are interactive lectures that will take part throughout IPY to give the public a chance to have one-on-one conversations with polar scientists or visiting specialists and to learn about the science that’s happening around the world.

CONTACT: Chris Petrich, postdoctoral fellow, 907-474-6832 or chris.petrich@gi.alaska.edu.

Note to editors: Photos available on request. Contact Amy Hartley, info@gi.alaska.edu , or call 907-474-7942.