NASA scientist to teach kids and adults about 'living' with the sun at Monroe Free Library

MONROE — The Friends of the Monroe Free Library will host a free program called “Living with a Star” on Thursday, July 28, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The program will be presented by Dr. Charles P. Holmes, a Greenwood Lake resident. From 1997 to 2008, he provided oversight and guidance at NASA headquarters, at its Heliophysics Great Observatory (HPGO), a suite of operating science missions observing the sun, the interplanetary solar wind and their interactions with the Earth. Holmes will discuss how the sun is studied, how it works, how old it is, and how long it will last. He will also talk about the 11 year cycle of sun spots, solar flares and solar wind in addition to how the sun spawns the auroras high in the atmosphere as well as spawn other “space weather” events on Earth. The DVD “Solar Max” will also be shown. Organizers say the program is appropriate for both adults and children in second-grade and higher. The event will include a $1 raffle for a space shuttle basket and other giveaways while supplies last. All proceeds will benefit the Friends group, which supports the Monroe Free Library. To register, call 783-4411.