Solar Studies

11/15/2024 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM MT

Admission

Free

Location

Los Alamos Nature Center
2600 Canyon Rd
Los Alamos, NM 87544

Description

Online registration for this program has ended. Tickets will be available at the door.

In this family-friendly presentation, Tate Plohr will explain what solar flares are and how they can impact us. He will give an overview of his projects on the models of solar flares; magnetic flux rope and magnetic reconnection. His computer calculations simulate these dynamic phenomena to help understand the underlying physical mechanisms.

Admission: FREE

Events in the planetarium are not recommended for children under age 4.

Biography:

Tate is a young scientist who is particularly interested in physics and math. His science fair project on Solar Flares in 2023 has earned him grand prize in the New Mexico state science fair, one of the top 30 best projects in the national fair, and 1st place in mathematics in Thermo Fisher Junior Innovator Challenge. He continued his passion to study solar flares further, and in 2024, he conducted research on Magnetic Reconnection, which qualified him for the International Science & Engineering Fair. Tate is a 10th grader in Los Alamos High School, and outside school and science projects, he enjoys playing the piano and guitar. He is also a member of PEEC youth group, which discusses the environmental issues in the community to raise the awareness.

Photo: NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured these images of a solar flare on Oct. 2, 2014. The solar flare is the bright flash of light on the right limb of the sun. A burst of solar material erupting out into space can be seen just below it. Credit NASA/Goddard/SDO