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If you are lucky enough to see a display of the Northern Lights in a clear dark sky, it's an experience never to be forgotten. Sometimes seen as wide ribbons or billowing curtains stretching across the sky, or sparkling and flashing swirls above your head, this is a phenemenon that has entranced and fascinated observers for thousands of years.

In this highly illustrated talk Dr Carolin Crawford (Newnham 1982) will discuss the how, where and why of the aurora, and the variety of shapes and structures they can form. She'll explain how their occurence is intimately related to the Sun's activity and the Earth's magnetic field - leading to the charged particles of the Solar wind exciting atoms and molecules in our atmosphere to release light as these stunning displays.

Schedule

7.00pm - Welcome from the Cambridge and Oxford Alumni Offices and Russell Cox, Hurtigruten

7.05pm - Talk from Dr Carolin Crawford

7.45pm - Q&A with Carolin, facilitated by Russell Cox

8.00pm - Finish

This talk is part of the Oxford and Cambridge Universities Alumni Travel Programme and is organised by Hurtigruten who will be arranging the alumni tour to Norway with Dr Crawford. 

This event will be recorded.