Please join us for the Astronomy Public Talk series, where we host short, accessible talks on a wide range of astronomy and physics-related topics — free and open to the public! This event will feature a presentation by UI Physics and Astronomy undergraduate student Sydney Tune, who will discuss how low-density periods in the solar wind can show what previous conditions were like near the Sun. By studying features known as counter-streaming strahl electrons and “double ions” during these rare intervals, researchers can gain insight into the early evolution of the solar wind while it is still collisionally young.

A public observing session at the Van Allen Observatory will immediately follow this talk, weather permitting.