Resuming his study of the Sun

"I was at an early age determined to learn more within astronomy" - Øystein Håvard Færder.

Affiliated with the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics (RoCS), Øystein Håvard Færder started his PhD fellowship in Solar physics in September 2019. Øystein took his Bachelor in Physics and Master in Astronomy at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics (ITA), University of Oslo, in the period 2006-2012.

From the "quiet" to the "active" Sun

Øystein is back investigating the Sun after a period working as IT consultant with software testing.

–  My master project was similar to my current PhD project in that both deals with studying numerical models of the Solar atmosphere. A major difference in these 2 projects will be that while my master project focused on a Quiet Sun region, my PhD project will look more into Active Regions of the Sun, explains him.

Image may contain: Colorfulness, Line.
Color plot of the magnetic field strength in a simulation of a Solar “Dome”, a region in the Solar Atmosphere that is colder than other regions. Credits: Øystein Håvard Færder.

Experiments on the solar magnetic fields

With the aim to make a complete model of the "Whole Sun" within the homonymous ERC synergy grant project led by Mats Carlsson, Øystein is going to study different 3-dimensional box models of the upper convection zone and the atmosphere of the Sun.

– I am trying to find out more about magnetic flux emergences from the Solar convection zone into the atmosphere, along with other Active Region features, and how it contributes to the heating of the Corona, points Øystein out.

With the help of advanced numerical models of the Solar atmosphere, Øystein will experiment how the magnetic fields evolve over time and how it contributes to the heat content.

Astronomy in Oslo: a natural choice

Øystein at skiing trip in Krokskogen, winter 2019. Credits: Ø. Færder.

Originally from Hadeland, a small landly district just about 50 km north of Oslo, Øystein has been fascinated by astronomy since he was about 10 years old. 

– I learned quickly about all the different kind of stars, so I was at an early age determined to learn more within astronomy. Therefore, studying at UiO was a natural choice for several reasons, as it also is the only university in Norway to offer studies in Astronomy, comments him.

He likes being in Oslo, "a city that is big enough to continuously discover new places and new people and at the same time not uncomfortably big", adds Øystein.

– What is your experience at the ITA so far?

– I enjoyed doing my Master Degree at the ITA, and I also enjoy working as PhD at ITA so far. It has a good working environment as well as social environment.

– Any expectations?

– I expect to obtain a better understanding of the Sun, as well as gaining more experience in programming and in problem solving in general and to continuously develop my analytical mindset. Also, I want to keep evolving socially by being a part of a larger academic social network, concludes Øystein.

Published Jan. 13, 2020 9:56 AM - Last modified Jan. 16, 2023 1:19 PM