05/09/2016
2016 Series of Lectures on Astrophysics and Cosmology: science of the cosmos, science in the cosmos
Lecture: "The Sun and Life on Other Planets"
Speaker: Prof. Saku Tsuneta
Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science (ISAS). Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Synopsis:
The Sun is an essential and fascinating source of energy, partly driven by intense magnetic fields whose origin is not well understood. Nevertheless, being able to predict solar activity is of major importance for our technological society. Indeed there are indications that solar activity, as represented by the 11-year sunspot cycle, is somehow affecting the Earth’s climate, perhaps in a significant way.
The Hinode (“sunrise”) space mission of the Japanese, U.S., British and European space agencies (JAXA, NASA, UK and ESA) has been observing magnetic fields on the surface of the Sun with unprecedented resolution and sensitivity. The spectacular movies taken with Hinode, which will feature in the lecture, have revealed waves, ubiquitous jets, new kinds of magnetic fields, strong magnetic fields in the obscured solar polar regions, and enigmatic fine-scale flows, among other remarkable discoveries.

Bio notes:
Saku Tsuneta obtained his PhD in astronomy from the University of Tokyo (1983). Since April 2014, he has been Director General at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), where he also serves as Vice President. Before joining ISAS, he was a professor at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). His research interest is anything related to magnetic fields in the cosmos. He is particularly interested in the Sun, where intense magnetic fields are generated along with various dynamic phenomena involving magnetic energy that affect Earth. In the past 35 years, he has developed innovative space instruments for solar physics aboard satellites, sounding rockets, and balloons.

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