‘Predicting Auroras’ – Café Science Extra on 14th January

Published On Fri 9 Jan 2015 by Grant Hill

The first Café Science Extra of 2015 is set to light up the New Year by exploring the wonder of auroras.

Dr Alex Russell, a researcher in the University of Dundee’s School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, will talk about ‘Predicting Auroras’ at Dundee Science Centre from 6pm on Wednesday, 14th January.

“Auroras, or northern lights, are one of our planet's natural wonders,” he said. “Usually a polar phenomenon, they are visible from the Dundee area only a couple of times each decade, but this winter our chances of seeing them are significantly better than normal.

“I will be explaining something of the science of auroras and the Sun's magnetic outbursts responsible for the best displays. I will look at how scientists try to predict them, why this always involves a gamble and why this year is special.”

Dr Russell is a Research Fellow in Solar Magnetohydrodynamics at the University with an interest in the dynamic behaviour of the Sun and Earth's magnetosphere. His research uses a mixture of computer simulations and mathematical analysis to examine our immediate space environment and its relationship to auroras and space weather.

Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted more than 6000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally.

Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre.

‘Predicting Auroras’ takes place at Infusion coffee shop, Dundee Science Centre, at 6pm on Wednesday, 14th January. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277