Heliology (THE SUN/ECLIPSES) with India Jackson and Dr. Michael Kirk

Sunset flimflam! Auroras! Eclipse tips! Let’s get to know the center of our solar system, the Sun,  as the April 8th eclipse approaches. What is it made of? How big is it? Will it explode soon? Why can’t I stare at it? And why is it wearing sunglasses? Dr. Michael Kirk and almost-Dr. India Jackson are brilliant and charming Heliologists who have both worked with NASA’s heliophysics departments. Get to know them and also the giant hot plasma ball we revolve around. You’ll never (not look at it) the same.

Listen via Apple, Spotify, Podbay, Podcast Addict, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow Michael on Google Scholar

Visit India’s website and follow her on Instagram, X and Google Scholar

Watch NASA’s Total Solar Eclipse Live Broadcast on April 8, 2024

Donations went to Astronomers Without Borders and the Grady Memorial Hospital Health Foundation


Links to things we discussed:

Heliophysics Science

Heliophysics Vocabulary

Voyager 1 - Wikipedia

The sun won't die for 5 billion years, so why do humans have only 1 billion years left on Earth?

They Might Be Giants - Why Does the Sun Really Shine? (The Sun is a Miasma of Incandescent Plasma)

Research provides insight into how heavy elements such as gold and platinum reach our galaxy

The Elements: Forged in Stars

Solar Flares (Radio Blackouts)

The Sun just released the most powerful solar flare this cycle. Expect more

Top 50 Solar Flares

Powerful Solar Flare Causes Radio Blackout Over Western US

UV Index Forecast

Solar Dynamics Observatory

The Time Machine a book by H. G. Wells

NASA SVS | 5000 Years of Total Solar Eclipses

Scientists may finally know why the sun's outer atmosphere is so freakishly hot

Polarisation of decayless kink oscillations of solar coronal loops

The Earth's Ionosphere: A Wall-Less Plasma Laboratory

What is a Solar Flare?

Overview of Solar Flares

Solar Flare FAQs

Is the Sun conscious? 

Could The Sun Be Conscious? Enter The Unorthodox World Of Panpsychism

The Sun Kings: The Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington and the Tale of How Modern Astronomy Began

The Science of Sunsets

The Colors of Sunset and Twilight

Nuclear fusion breakthrough – what is it and how does it work?

The Carrington Solar Flares of 1859: Consequences on Life

Eye Safety for Total Solar Eclipses

Solar eclipse glasses: Where to buy the best, high-quality eyewear

Nuclear fusion breakthrough – what is it and how does it work?

Solar Flares FAQs

Stellar classification

NASA’s Star Types

NASA: Understanding the Magnetic Sun

Coronal mass ejections: What are they and how do they form?


Other episodes you may enjoy:

Selenology (THE MOON)

Cosmology (THE UNIVERSE)

Meteorology (WEATHER & CLIMATE)

Nephology (CLOUDS)

Black Hole Theory Cosmology (WHAT ARE BLACK HOLES?!)

Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE)

Tiktokology (THE TIKTOK APP)

Space Archaeology (SPACE JUNK)

Aerology (MARS)

Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?)


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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jacob Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth 

Transcripts by Aveline Malek

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

SpaceAlie Ward