Heliophysics: Understanding the Fury of Our Sun
Dr Antti Pulkkinen from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center discusses the work done in heliophysics and how the Sun affects life on Earth. Dr. Pulkkinen’s journey to NASA began in Finland, where he earned his PhD in theoretical physics before moving to the US for postdoctoral work at Goddard in 2004
[00:00:12] Dr. Antti Pulkkinen leads the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA Goddard. Originally from northern Finland, he completed his PhD in theoretical physics at the University of Helsinki before joining NASA as a researcher in 2004. Today, he oversees a team of 350 scientists and experts dedicated to studying our closest star.
What is Heliophysics?
[00:02:36] Heliophysics is the study of the Sun and how it influences the very nature of space, the atmospheres of planets, and the technology we use. The Sun constantly sends out a steady outpouring of particles and energy known as the solar wind, which carries a complex magnetic field throughout the solar system.
[00:03:00] Beyond the steady solar wind, the Sun also produces massive eruptions called solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). These are the largest explosions in the solar system, and understanding them is at the absolute core of heliophysics.
Space Weather and Earth
[00:03:21] Studying the Sun isn’t just about fundamental science; it’s about protection. “Space weather” caused by solar activity can interfere with our communication satellites, pose risks to astronauts in space, and even disrupt power grids here on the surface of the Earth.
[00:03:54] To map this system, NASA operates a large fleet of spacecraft positioned at critical vantage points throughout the heliosphere. These missions range from the Parker Solar Probe, which flies deep into the Sun’s atmosphere, to the Voyager mission—the farthest human-made object—which is currently sending back observations from interstellar space.
A Global Effort at Goddard
[00:05:01] The Heliophysics Science Division at Goddard is the largest concentration of heliophysicists in the world. The team includes everyone from high school students to senior scientists, working across five different laboratories on theory, modeling, and instrument development.
[00:05:32] This work is highly collaborative, involving US federal partners and international researchers, including those in Australia. By feeding the latest scientific data into space weather applications, NASA works to mitigate the “fury of the Sun” and protect our increasingly technology-dependent world.
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