Stargazing Lecture

Stargazing is dependent on clear weather, but lecture and Q&A happen regardless. Event will occur in-person, with lecture and Q&A additionally live-streamed on YouTube.

For remote viewers, the event will be live-streamed here:
https://youtube.com/live/n0XihwEgHjU?feature=share

8:00–8:45 p.m. - Public Lecture
8:45–9:45 p.m. - Panel Q&A and Guided Stargazing

"Never look directly at the Sun" is sage advice that has applied to astronomical observations of our nearest star for centuries. The technical challenge of measuring and understanding the sun requires specialized equipment, the perfect location, and a bit of luck. First, I'll discuss how spectroscopy, breaking sunlight into its constituent colors, has been used during the fleeting moments of total solar eclipses to glimpse at the inner workings of the corona, our sun's atmosphere. Then, I'll cover how NASA's most extreme heliophysics mission, Parker Solar Probe, measures highly energized particles to learn about the physics of solar storms. There will also be a brief information session on the upcoming total solar eclipse across North America on April 8, 2024.

About the Series

Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by a Q&A panel and guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech and are Free and open to all. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing and panel Q&A last 60 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.

Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture and panel Q&A take place regardless of weather.

For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.