Aurora Science & Chasing: WEBINARS & SEMINARS
Aurora tourism and recreational activities have skyrocketed in the past decade. So much so that it has overtaken the amount of means put in aurora research, science communication and prediction. Subsequently, many people travel to see the lights or work in the industry of aurora chasing without the crucial elements to really understand what is going on or how to interpret the tools to use. There is rampant misinformation and misconception about the aurora and our mission is to try and rectify this in a way that uses the most accurate and advanced tools.
We offer aurora science and chasing classes monthly for both beginners and more advanced chasers. Every month, we offer a 'physical session' called SEMINAR in Tromsø city reserved for professional in the industry (aurora guiding companies, photographers...) and also a similar online session (WEBINAR) for everyone (including those who cannot attend our seminars in Tromsø).
The goal of the class is to give you a visual and didactic understanding of how the aurora works, where it comes from and eventually how to chase it in the best way to never miss it. For professionals, it's also about communicating the right information to clients, especially when they have questions going off the beaten path. Not to mention time managing / working around the aurora.
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With whom?
Adrien Mauduit is an aurora and space weather expert, an experienced aurora chaser with almost 10 years of expertise in many countries like the USA, Canada, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland. He serves as a hub for space weather and aurora prediction for the locale of northern Norway and is an active member of the Space Weather Woman Steering Committee, which aims at expanding the aurora chasing and space weather enthusiast community. Needless to say that you will be in good hands with his expertise and dedication!
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Where and when?
The WEBINAR is comprised of a series of 4 weekly sessions of 3 hours happening every month. We tend to offer them on Saturday afternoons at 2-5 PM (GMT+1), but we sometimes alternate with week days to accommodate everyone and as many time zones as possible. For those who still can't attend and still desire a full course, all our sessions are recorded and all participants get access to the recording.
The SEMINAR in Tromsø is mostly spontaneous and depends on how many guides are interested. We have a meeting room at our disposal to offer the course to professionals. Opportunities will be published on our social media handles and if you don't want to miss the next one, please shoot us an email.
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How?
The course consists of four 3-hour interactive presentation (12 hours total) offered during 4 consecutive weeks. The online version of the class is held via Zoom. We will record the screen to allow you to go back on the course without worrying about taking notes and all participants will have access to the recording. The maximum number of participants for this course is 15 people to keep it dynamic and intimate.
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What?
The lecture includes several parts. We expand on how the aurora is created from the Sun to our atmosphere, how solar activity influences the geomagnetic activity, the importance of geomagnetic latitude and longitude, the characteristics of the aurora (shapes, colors, behavior), how we typically experience the aurora during the course of a night, what is the best place and time, how to predict it and read the solar wind and ground data. We also go over many useful tips and tricks so that you never miss the elusive phenomenon. All of the information is smartly connected together and offers you a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand insight on aurora science and chasing. You will be provided with some of the best home-made visuals in the field to grasp the phenomenon!
Here's a full overview of what the course may entail, regardless of the session. As the course is actually worth much more than what is captured here, some of the subjects might be brushed over and some other developed more depending on the attendees' need.
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Prerequisites of physics – plasma, magnetism, electricity, intro to the 4 levels (10 mins)
CHAPTER I - GETTING TO KNOW THE AURORA (210 min)
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Level 1 - The Sun & the corona: introduction to heliophysics (brush through: 20 minutes)
Physical and chemical structure of the Sun, magnetic configuration of the Sun leading to the solar activity and cycles.
Features of the photosphere
Features of the chromosphere (Br, Ar, loops, prominences / filaments, CH)
Solar events
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Level 2 – The interplanetary space, transient events, the solar wind (40 minutes)
Monitoring the IPS
Recognizing and understanding transient events in the solar wind (SBCs, IPs, HSSs, CIRs, SIRs, ICMEs)
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Level 3 – The geomagnetosphere: structure & dynamics (60 minutes)
Structure of the magnetosphere
Coupling of IMF and geomagnetic field: the Magnetospheric Convection Cycle (Dungey Cycles)
Magnetospheric disturbances and particle precipitation
Magnetospheric response: directly driven and loading/unloading events
The magnetospheric substorm
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Level 4 – The ionosphere, ionospheric currents & auroral phenomena (90 min)
Composition of the ionosphere & the aurora as a layered phenomenon
The auroral oval / electrojet
L-shells, magnetic mapping, Auroral zones and geomagnetic coordinates
Geo-effectiveness and geomagnetic activity
The Auroral Substorm
Measuring and monitoring the geomagnetic activity (Magnetometers, magnetograms, K index, other geomagnetic indices)
Geomagnetic storms
Auroral structures and colors
CHAPTER II - FORECASTING & MONITORING THE GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY AS A CHASER (110 mins)
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3 step workflow with tools to use
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Detail of the tools
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Case study
CHAPTER III - CAPTURING THE AURORA (40 mins)
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Gear
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Planning
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Camera setup and settings
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Taking the picture
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Filming the aurora
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Practical
One online session costs NOK 3000 for the whole 12-hour course purchased once as you book. All four sessions will appear in the booking calendar, but you should only book ONCE!
The physical lecture (in Tromsø) costs NOK 1500 with a discount (50% off the third person from the same company, 20% off for each person from a same company attending above or equal 5)