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Look! Up in the Sky
THE SUN AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS
» Thursday 8 July 2010 | 5 pm
» Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna
An informal afternoon hour showcasing ideas
and people in the Okanagan creative economy. Join us as Dr. Ken Tapping of the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, one of Canada's leading scientists, takes us on an stimulating exploration of the science, mystery and danger of the solar world.
» $2 at the door. Refreshments are available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE
Leading Scientist to Explore the Strange and Powerful Solar World
The Sun is an intrinsic part of our lives, even on the two hundred days a year in this valley when clouds predominate. It's been a faithful friend to our orchardists and to farmers throughout history. Perhaps the Sun will be our saviour when oil runs dry, but if the Earth moves a percent closer to the burning orb all our dreams will be charcoal, while a percent further out and the tropics will become the new ice caves of the globe. In the slipstream of tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes and forest fires there's one more thing to think about. Something funny is happening with the sun.
NASA has recently predicted a period of solar flaring around 2013 which may hit the Earth with unprecedented levels of magnetic energy. This effect could damage emergency services' equipment, air traffic control devices and world banking systems as well as play havoc with the personal electronic devices that we've come to rely on for GPS guidance, communications and entertainment. Some scientists also conjecture that fragile power grids could be knocked out for days or longer with, of course, major economic impacts. The National Academy of Sciences warns that a powerful solar storm could worldwide cause many times the damage of Hurricane Katrina.
On Thursday, July 8th at 5 pm the ongoing weekly Okanagan Institute Express series at the Bohemian Café, Kelowna presents Look! Up in the Sky! The Sun and Other Natural Disasters. Join us as Dr. Ken Tapping of the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, one of Canada's leading scientists, takes us on an stimulating exploration of the science, mystery and danger of the solar world..
 Dr Ken Tapping is Head of the Solar Radio Monitoring programme of the National Research Council of Canada and has been based at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Penticton since 1990. Born in the UK, Dr Tapping completed a Bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics and a Master's degree in space physics from the University of London and received his PhD in astrophysics from the University of Utrecht. He joined the National Research Council in Ottawa in 1975 and has since proven himself a prolific writer of academic and popular articles showcasing his expertise in astronomy and space topics.
In introducing the topic of his presentation at Express, he wrote, "In 2005 or so, the Sun's behaviour changed. The sunspot cycle seemed to stop, and the Sun went quiet. As we got into 2009 with the Sun staying in an activity minimum, speculation grew that were heading for a period of solar dimming and climate cooling, which might do something to negate the effects of global warming. Then, at the end of 2009 a new cycle started, but it is not a normal one. What we are seeing now both shows we are in unknown territory as to what our Sun is up to, and also casts doubt on our attempts to estimate the past relationship between the Sun and climate. With our increasing dependence upon infrastructure that can be disrupted by the Sun and ecosystems that are already being pushed very hard, knowing what the Sun is doing is of more than academic interest."
As his colleagues at the National Research Council have written, "Ken Tapping has unlocked perhaps the greatest gift a scientist can offer - the ability to share his knowledge and passion with those around him."
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE
Look! Up in the Sky! The Sun and Other Natural Disasters takes place at the Bohemian Café, Kelowna. This marks the 145th event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in July 2007.
Express is directed, convened and hosted by Doug Hodgkinson, Karen Close, Edward McLean, Neil McKay and Jan Kennett. It has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, poet laureate and professor John Lent, creative entrepreneur Nikos Theodosakis, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, community activist Don Elzer, dancer David LaHay, architect Jim Meiklejohn, culinary artist and writer Heidi Noble, broadcaster Marion Barschel and many others from a wide range of creative fields.
The Okanagan Institute is a group of creative professionals that has gathered around the goal of providing events, publications and services of interest to enquiring minds in the Okanagan. We partner with individuals, organizations, institutions and businesses to achieve optimal creative and social impact.
Our mission is to ignite cultural transformation, catalyze collaborative action, build networks and foster sustainable creative enterprises. We invite the participation by all members of the creative community.
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