ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM<br>Science, Symphony, and the Northern Lights

Since 2006 astronomer and U-M alumnus José Francisco Salgado has been communicating science in non-traditional venues such as art museums and concert halls. His so-called “Science & Symphony” films have been presented more than 100 times in 15 countries with orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Orchestra Teatro Regio Torino. Recently, his collaboration with composer Chris Theofanidis, “The Legend of the Northern Lights” was premiered with Grant Park Orchestra to critical acclaim and in front of 32,000 people. In this lecture, Salgado will talk about the physical processes responsible for the color, structure, and behavior of the auroras and the experience of photographing these displays of light from subarctic Canada.