Super Solar Storms with Lika Guhathakurta
Summary
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice welcome heliophysicist Lika Guhathakurta to discuss the Sun’s mass loss, helioseismology, and the heliosphere. They address Patreon questions about solar sound, the Parker Solar Probe’s mission, and the 11-year solar cycle. Lika explains recent intense auroras, sharing personal stories about the "Gannon Storm" and her first aurora sighting, while debunking Hollywood myths about catastrophic solar events.
Topics discussed
Intro ads for SNHU and AdoptUSKids
Welcome to StarTalk and guest introduction
Lika's background and introduction to helioseismology
How helioseismology works and solar observatories
Cosmic Query: How much mass is the Sun losing?
Solar wind, gravity, and the Alfvén surface
Cosmic Query: What would the Sun sound like?
The Heliosphere and its boundaries
Gravity's reach and the edge of the solar system
Parker Solar Probe mission and gravitational de-assist
The 11-year solar cycle and magnetic polarity
Sponsor ads for Toyota, Kennedy Space Center, and T-Mobile
Recent aurora sightings and personal stories
Space weather impacts and the Carrington Event
Future solar missions and international cooperation
Outro and final ads
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