The College of Natural Sciences at UT has announced the winner of its annual Visualizing Science contest. This year, physics graduate student Maile Marriott received the top award for her image of “space weather” caused by the sun. According to a College of Natural Sciences press release, Space Weather occurs when solar wind blows outward from the sun, impacting satellites, space missions, and the Earth’s atmosphere.
Marriott’s piece models a “switchback,” a phenomenon in the solar wind where magnetic field lines reverse direction. She used electromagnetic equations and fluid dynamic equations to generate the piece and used computer programs to solve the equations. Marriott explained that her research focuses on localizing waves in a box and understanding their impact on physics. The total solar eclipse on April 8 provided heliophysicists with data that will inform Marriott’s research, particularly regarding the formation of “switchbacks” in the outer edge of the sun.
Anna Tenerani, an assistant professor of space plasma physics, supervises Marriott’s graduate studies and expressed pride and excitement in Marriott’s achievement. Tenerani described Marriott as self-driven and enthusiastic about her research. Steve Franklin, a communications specialist and part of the contest’s panel, mentioned that the contest aims to showcase various scientific research and engages people with captivating images that spark curiosity and enjoyment in science. Marriott’s piece and other contestants’ work can be viewed in a 3D virtual gallery.
