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Type of Project:Data Analysis. Solar Flares. Statistics
Skills/Interest Required: A successful student will have an interested in working with data from satellite observatories, learning about the physics of solar flares, computer programing and statistics. Previous experience in computer programming is beneficial but not required.
Mentor/Point of Contact: Dr. Kelly Korreck
Email: kkorreck_at_cfa.harvard.edu
Project:
The Sun is an active and energetic star. From time to time, based on favorable magnetic structures, the Sun gives off bursts of energy in the form of particles and light. These solar flares are of great interest both scientifically as well as due to their relation to space weather. This project will examine the luminosity in flares between Hinode's XRT, GOES and STEREO data to gain an understanding as to the energy budget of the flare as well as to the flare class that has already been used as a standard in space weather prediction. This is an important step to understanding the energy of the flare as well as the future of space weather prediction. It will be applicable to the soon to be launched SDO- AIA instrument which will observe the whole Sun all the time. The flares will be examined in XRT and STEREO 171 and 195 Angstrom data. The student will learn basic image processing of solar data as well as some statistics and analysis methods. The student will also learn about particle acceleration, flare physics and space weather effects.
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