University Event

Engineering Masterclass - Sunny with a Mild Chance of Catastrophe

University event offered by University of Birmingham

Event Summary:

Our masterclasses are designed to allow learners to experience what learning is like at a selective Russell Group university. Most masterclasses are two hours long and are normally held in the Autumn Term between 1.00–3.00pm on a Wednesday afternoon.

Full Event Details:

Date Wednesday 9 November 2016
Time 1.00–3.00pm
Subject area Physics/Engineering
Year group Year 12/13

The impact of major space weather events is an active area of research and a topic of national interest. The potential damage of a solar superstorm to our economy, communications network and electricity grid is a real threat and must be taken seriously. Such storms can cause the loss of GPS (with many more consequences than just not being able to find the way to the supermarket), alter the orbits of satellites and could cripple the electricity grids around the world. This session will present an overview of the causes of space weather and the potential repercussions of a superstorm.