“Magnetic Fields and the Aurora”
David Buchla
October 1, 2025
Just as spiders weave an interconnected web, science has many interconnections. David will weave together diverse science fields like chemistry, geology, astronomy, and some physics into a coherent picture of how Earth’s magnetic field interacts with the solar wind to form auroras. His presentation is in two parts. Part 1 describes magnets in general, the Earth’s magnetic field in particular, the solar wind, and related topics such as the science behind the Van Allen Radiation belts, how magnetic fields transmit energy, and more. Part 2 will be all about auroras – how the colors are formed, types of auroras, aurora forms and auroras on other planets. The presentation includes some beautiful photos of auroras and a couple of demonstrations, so it should be entertaining and informative.
David Buchla is well known to long time NC Astronomers members, having served as an officer from the beginning of the club in roles ranging from outreach coordinator to president. He pioneered our annual star party at Plumas Eureka State Park. He has an interest in all thing’s astronomy especially solar eclipses and auroras. He has viewed auroras in North Dakota, Alaska, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, and even one in Grass Valley. He has been a speaker for the club many times in the past but this is only the second time in the last 4 years he has returned to Grass Valley to give a talk after his move to Georgia in 2021.
Now retired, he spent his working years in science and teaching. He worked for Sperry Gyroscope Co., where he taught radar to the military. Following 9 years with Lawrence Livermore National Lab and 3 years with Science Applications, Dave taught electronics and physical science at Yuba College. He has authored and co-authored 11 textbooks, as well as a number of lab manuals for Pearson Education.
** Note **
For the “Summer Season” (July and August) the NC Astronomers will sometimes meet on-line via Zoom for special programs. Club members will receive the keys to the Zoom conference in their email via Groups.io.
NC Astronomers Meets on the 1st Wednesday each month at 7pm in the
Madelyn Helling Library Community Room
980 Helling Way
Nevada City, CA 95959
(September – May)
** NC Astronomers “YouTube” channel **
Many of the presentations are recorded and posted to the club’s YouTube channel.
Please see https://www.youtube.com/@ncastronomers9981/videos