Library of Congress

Heliophysics and the Parker Solar Probe

Heliophysics and the Parker Solar Probe

Thursday, December 6, 2018
James Madison Building – Pickford Theater (LM302), 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20540

NASA’s Alex Young will take a journey through the solar system, discussing how the Sun interacts at the largest and smallest scales, from complicated motions at the particle level to giant eruptions thousands of times bigger than the Earth. NASA studies the Sun and how its constant outflow of magnetic fields and solar material influences the very nature of space, the atmospheres of planets, and human technology. Heliophysics missions explore places never before visited—traveling through pockets of intense radiation, interstellar space, and right into the Sun itself. This summer NASA will launch the Parker Solar Probe, which will be the first spacecraft in history to fly through the Sun’s inner corona.

Speaker Biography: Dr. C. Alex Young is associate director for science, heliophysics science division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Transcript and more information »

CREDITS: Library of Congress

Total Solar Eclipse of 2017

C. Alex Young spoke about the science and wonder of total solar eclipses. He explained the celestial mechanics of the eclipse, viewing opportunities and how NASA will study the sun and Earth during this rare event on August 21, 2017. 

Speaker Biography: C. Alex Young is a solar physicist and associate director for science at the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He is responsible for overseeing and coordinating education and public outreach. 

Transcript and more information »

CREDITS: Library of Congress

A Space Weather Report

C. Alex Young discussed the challenges of dealing with the harshness of space and making sure travelers can safely reach their destination as they reach for the planets and beyond. Speaker Biography: C. Alex Young is responsible for overseeing and coordinating education and public outreach at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Transcript and more information »

CREDITS: Library of Congress

Gravity Assist: Sunspots and Solar Flares with Alex Young

You’d think that because it rises and sets predictably every day, we’d know everything there is to know about our Sun. But that’s not the case. The Sun constantly outgasses the solar wind, but also periodically belches huge blobs of plasma, energetic particles, and magnetic fields that can wreak havoc on Earth’s communications networks and other electrical systems. These blobs also slam into the other planets of our solar system, stripping their atmospheres or interacting with their magnetic fields. And we’re still not sure what mechanisms lie beneath these violent outbursts. In this week’s episode, NASA Chief Scientist Jim Green sits down with solar scientist Alex Young to discuss the Sun’s powerful explosions.

CREDITS: NASA & Jim Green

SXSW EDU 2018

C. Alex Young at #SXSWEDU, CREDIT: Jessica Lahey
C. Alex Young at #SXSWEDU, CREDIT: Jessica Lahey

Bringing the Science: Teaching with Authentic Data

Quality media tools and resources needed for learners to engage in scientific practices such as analyzing and interpreting data and computer models are rarely produced for K-12 instructional use, or designed for diverse learners. WGBH has been working in collaboration with NASA and teachers across the country to develop learning resources that incorporate authentic data, tools, and supports needed for learners to work with data and computer models. We’ll share insights and best practices.

RACHEL CONNOLLY, WGBH; JAVIER MONTIEL, Brazosport ISD; C ALEX YOUNG, NASA

CREDIT: Jessica Lahey

The 231st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS)

The 231st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

January 10, 2018 2:00 PM – 2:10 PM Author(s): C. Alex Young Institution(s):1.NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Monday, August 21, 2017, marked the first total solar eclipse to cross the continental United States coast-to-coast in almost a century. NASA scientists and educators, working alongside many partners, were spread across the entire country, both inside and outside the path of totality. Like many other organizations, NASA prepared for this eclipse for several years. The August 21 eclipse was NASA’s biggest media event in recent history, and was made possible by the work of thousands of volunteers, collaborators and NASA employees. The agency supported science, outreach, and media communications activities along the path of totality and across the country. This culminated in a 3 ½-hour broadcast from Charleston, SC, showcasing the sights and sounds of the eclipse – starting with the view from a plane off the coast of Oregon and ending with images from the International Space Station as the Moon’s inner shadow left the US East Coast. Along the way, NASA shared experiments and research from different groups of scientists, including 11 NASA-supported studies, 50+ high-altitude balloon launches, and 12 NASA and partner space-based assets.

This talk shares the timeline of this momentous event from NASA’s perspective, describing outreach successes and providing a glimpse at some of the science results available and yet to come. 

CREDITS
Contributing Teams: The Heliophysics Education Consortium
PRESENTATION TYPE: Research Contributed CURRENT
SESSION TYPE: Special Sessions (Accepting Orals) AUTHORS (FIRST NAME, LAST NAME): C. A. Young1
INSTITUTIONS (ALL): 1. Heliophysics Science Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States.

Hyperwall at the Fall 2017 AGU Conference

Alex Young presents “The Science of Space”. Originally presented at the Fall AGU 2017 conference on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 6:40 p.m.

CREDITS: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

2015 World Science Festival

SOLARIUM - Photo credit: NASA/Linda Schenk

Museum of Science Fiction – Pilot Program with DC Public Schools

Pilot Program with DC Public Schools CREDIT: Museum of Science Fiction
Pilot Program with DC Public Schools CREDIT: Museum of Science Fiction

The primary objective of the DC Public Schools pilot program is to develop project-based learning activities with measurable outcomes. Lessons engage students in critical thinking. Students will compare science fiction and science fact through STEAM programming that uses Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. The educational programming uses science fiction to foster a deeper interest in science and the arts. Click the photo to see Museum guest speakers teaching in the classroom. MORE »

CREDIT: Museum of Science Fiction