10.30 Press Conference starts (Registration from 10.00)

The Royal Society, Carlton House Terrace, London (http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/page.asp?id=1108 )

Although the Earth is at ‘aphelion’ on July 3rd and 4th (as far from the Sun as it gets during its orbit), the UK is experiencing a heat wave and, irrespective of the influencing and contributory factors, the ultimate source is our Sun – a fiery, boiling furnace.

Sometimes the Sun throws more than just scorching heat at the Earth. In 1859 a giant solar storm erupted hurtling hot plasma in the form of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) toward the Earth. As this was before the space age, the main effect was disruption to telegraph lines and sightings of aurora in unusual locations. If such a storm were to be repeated today, the effects would be more dramatic as satellites ringing the Earth would take the brunt of the impact! Forecasts suggest that such a major outburst from the Sun would have a similar economic impact to a category 5 hurricane!

Whilst the Sun may seem one of the most familiar objects in the sky, it is constantly changing and key questions remain. In order to understand and, importantly predict and protect against the effects of the Sun’s outbursts, such as CMEs, we need to monitor our parent star very closely.

The twin observatories of NASA’s STEREO space mission, in which the UK has key involvement, will provide the first ever 3D study of the Sun. STEREO is scheduled for launch on the 1st August this year.

This press conference will outline why, more than ever before, it is imperative to fully understand our ferocious Sun.

Speakers include:

  • Professor Richard Harrison, CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
  • Dr Chris Davis, CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
  • Dr Chris Eyles, University of Birmingham

Doors open at: 10.00 Press Conference starts at: 10.30 Lunch will be provided.

Registration:

All attendees must register in advance with Becky Farncombe, Email becky.farncombe@pparc.ac.uk Tel 01793 442092 or online at http://www.pparc.ac.uk/nw/md/artcl/mediaevent.aspx

For press queries, contact Julia Maddock, Email Julia.maddock@pparc.ac.uk Tel 01793 442094

The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) is the UK’s strategic science investment agency. It funds research, education and public understanding in four broad areas of science – particle physics, astronomy, cosmology and space science. PPARC is government funded and provides research grants and studentships to scientists in British universities, gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Particle Physics Laboratory, CERN, the European Space Agency and ESO, the European Southern Observatory. It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility.