Winter Field School—a culminating experience within the Eclipse Ambassadors program—was a transformative experience for participants, but the learning didn’t stop when they flew home from Alaska. A core tenet of learning to be a scientist is learning to share that science with the public. We conclude this blog post series by showcasing a few of… Read More »Winter Field School Alumni Bring Heliophysics Home
Have you ever wondered how scientists get data to learn about aurora? One way is by sending scientific “sounding rockets” into the Earth’s upper atmosphere to take measurements. One location from which these instruments are launched is Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Nine undergraduate… Read More »Science in Action: Visiting Poker Flat Research Range
With graduation season underway, we’re reflecting on the insights and experiences we would share with this year’s newly minted professionals. We’re finding ourselves inspired by the nine undergraduate and graduate students who attended the Eclipses to Aurora: Winter Field School at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. How did this experience cause them to reflect on… Read More »Poetic Wisdom From Winter Field School
For many across the world, seeing the aurora is a life goal, something for the bucket list. Realizing the dream of a successful aurora chase can be an awe-inspiring, profound experience. If you’ve seen the aurora, do you remember how you felt the first time you saw it dance? You’re not alone. In early January,… Read More »Warmth and awe: Winter Field School students on seeing the aurora for the first time
Note: This blog post contains and links to eclipse imagery. The April 8, 2024 eclipse was an amazing experience for millions, and inspired more than 36,000 people to #DoNASAScience! While the solar eclipse is now over, eclipse participatory science projects are going strong. In addition, the Heliophysics Big Year—a global celebration of solar science and… Read More »Helio Big Year: More Ways to Celebrate!
Guest post by Dr. Liz MacDonald, Sarah Kirn, and Laura Edson As it rises, sets, dances the seasons with the Earth, and sends space weather our way, the Sun is an integral part of our daily lives. Science is one of many ways to get to know our Sun better, and the upcoming year will… Read More »Connecting Senses and Sensors with Solar Science
Guest post by Dr. Liz MacDonald The Heliophysics Big Year will celebrate solar science and its connection with our world; Heliophysics itself is the study of our Sun and how it interacts with everything in our solar system. Inspired by the “Big Year” concept in birding, this will be a personal quest to experience and… Read More »Coming soon: the Heliophysics Big Year