Jul 30, 2021
She grew up in Washington state, where she was a little girl who dreamed of learning, about the sun and other stars. Now Nicholeen Violle is a research astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. This week, we talk to her about her views on science education. Plus, her research into explosions of radiation from the sun, and how they impact our satellites, our spacecraft, and our planet, and solar power, for answers about whether it can solve our energy and pollution challenges... and how the sun impacts our health, and can burn our skin. First though, we're taking an up close look at the fire burning in our own backyard: the Bootleg fire, still the nation's largest wildfire. It's destroyed dozens of homes. Erica Wisner tells us what it's like working the night shift, and why it's firefighters' best chance at getting the massive fire under control. And we meet some of the firefighters who are coming from out of state to help. Finally, two gymnasts with ties to Oregon had a chance to shine at the Olympics this week.