Tūhura Otago Museum is thrilled to present its newest science showcase: Solar Tsunamis – Parawhenua Kōmaru. Get hands-on with magnets, play with a plasma ball, generate your own electricity, make an aurora, and much, much more.

Interaction of Earth’s magnetosphere with the solar wind plasma.
Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

Solar wind plasma and the magnetosphere

Interaction of the Earth’s magnetosphere with the solar wind plasma. Although the solar wind is always directed away from the Sun, its intensity and speed are dependent on the Sun’s activity.

Solar Tsunamis – Parawhenua Kōmaru introduces participants to the science of space weather and its effects on Aotearoa New Zealand. Discover the realms of magnetism, electricity, and geology as you learn how a phenomenon that produces our awesome aurora could also cripple our electricity and communication systems.

Find out why space weather poses these risks, and learn how an international research collaboration led by the University of Otago is preparing Aotearoa New Zealand’s response to a hazard that is out of this world.

The showcase is designed to engage all age groups; visitors both young and old will be amazed by what they can learn. The exhibition will especially benefit intermediate and secondary aged students as they develop their understanding of physics, Earth and space science.

Upcoming locations:

  • 20 Jan – 25 Feb: Hokitika (MTFJ Hub, Pakiwaitara Building)
  • 29 Feb – 22 Mar: Motueka (Motueka District Museum)
  • 26 Mar – TBD: Napier (Faraday Museum of Technology)
  • 16 June – 31 July: Auckland (Museum of Transport and Technology)

More dates and locations to be announced. To find out more, contact outreach@otagomuseum.nz.

Related content

The Parker Solar Probe mission objective is to learn more about space weather. Find out why this matters in the article Space weather.

The Sun is made of ionised gas – plasma. Read about this state of matter in Space plasma and Plasmas explained.

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