Astronomy/Suns

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Expert: - 5/24/2009


Question
Hello
    I am particularly interested in studying The Sun at University, after having completed Engineering. What would be the ideal course ? Or are there as good websites, books etc.
Thanks.

Answer
Hello,

What I would suggest you do before considering a university program, is getting hold of the book (may be available from amazon):

'The Astrophysics of the Sun' by Harold Zirin

Cambridge University Press

If you can manage to get through that text with minimal difficulty, I'd say you are probably able to do advanced solar physics, say at university.

If not, I would strongly consider a branch of engineering!

Best,

Astronomy

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Philip Stahl

Expertise

I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.

Experience

Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics

Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research

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