Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lectures

Space Weather and Human Exploration

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Computer simulation of a coronal mass ejection

The Sun is more than a source of heat and light - it also emits radiation and particles that have widespread effects throughout the solar system!

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Public: $15 Members and seniors: $12

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Space Weather and Human Exploration
Monday, August 14, 2023
7:30 pm, Morrison Planetarium

Featuring Leila Mays with Elon Olsson, Goddard Space Flight Center

Join Leila Mays, deputy director, and Elon Olsson, software lead, from the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, to explore the science of space weather. Tracking eruptions and radiation from the Sun to storms rippling throughout the Solar System, they will combine beautiful visualizations of computer simulations with cutting-edge observations to reveal the latest in space weather research—including how they forecast its effect on human space exploration.

Elon Olsson will be the program’s interactive “pilot,” immersing attendees in powerful solar storms in the OpenSpace visualization platform on the Morrison Planetarium dome.

Leila Mays is a solar physicist and Elon Olsson is a visualization software lead at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

About Leila Mays and Elon Olsson

Dr. Leila Mays is the deputy director of the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Her research interests include modeling the heliosphere and solar energetic particles, evaluating model performance, and developing space weather forecasts. She received her BS degree from the University of Maryland College Park, and PhD from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. Elon Olsson is the lead of the OpenSpace software at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. His work revolves around implementing support for scientists to use OpenSpace for their visualization purposes. He received his BS and Masters degree at Linköping University, Sweden.

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