UANL explores the influence of Solar Activity on Earth

The XIV Latin American Conference on Space Geophysics, which was held at the UANL, brought together experts from around the world to discuss topics related to the effects of the Sun on the planet.

The Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) is hosting the XIV Latin American Conference on Space Geophysics (COLAGE). This event brings together scientists who specialize in studying the interaction between the Sun and the Earth.

COLAGE stands out as one of the world’s premier scientific gatherings dedicated to space geophysics. This year, it convened over 160 participants from four continents, primarily from Latin America, at the University Library “Raúl Rangel Frías”. The event spanned from April 9 to 12, featuring a series of conferences.

The conference program encompasses various topics, including the study of space weather, solar storms, geomagnetism, and the Earth’s ionosphere.

Juan Américo González Esparza, technical manager of the National Space Weather Laboratory (LANCE) and researcher at UNAM’s Institute of Geophysics, highlighted that the conference will focus on actively studying the impacts of solar activity on Earth. He also noted that the research initiated with the April 8 eclipse will be a key topic of discussion during the event.

Academics from Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, France, India, Mozambique, Paraguay, Poland, and the host country will also participate, comprising a group of fifty attendees.

Additionally, as part of the event’s activities, the Latin American School of Space Geophysics will be in session over the weekend. Over 60 students from Mexico and other Latin American countries will have the opportunity to engage with experts and deepen their understanding of astronomical phenomena.

UANL and UNAM Commemorate Collaboration

The series of conferences presented at the XIV Latin American Conference on Space Geophysics signals the commencement of work on the facilities of the National Space Weather Laboratory (LANCE) in Iturbide, Nuevo León, along with the establishment of offices and laboratories at Ciudad Universitaria. These developments stem from an extensive collaboration between UANL and the Institute of Geophysics at UNAM since 2016.

LANCE aims to investigate the impacts of solar activity in Mexico by developing its own instruments. Currently, the laboratory is actively researching solar storms and their potential effects on Mexican territory.