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Dr Ryan Milligan

Senior Lecturer, Astrophysics

Astrophysics Research Centre, School of Mathematics and Physics

Dr Milligan is a researcher in solar physics, specialising in solar flares, solar activity, and solar eclipses.

Dr Milligan is a solar physicist who has been researching solar flares and solar activity for over 20 years, and who has travelled to 12 solar eclipses since 2006. His research is currently segueing from solar-flare physics into the impacts of solar-flare radiation on Earth’s atmosphere and other consequences of space weather, such as the Northern Lights. His lecture courses include High-Energy Astrophysics and Special Relativity. He has held research fellowships from both NASA and STFC (UK) and was affiliated with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for over a decade. He is currently a member of the UK Solar Physics council and is also a part-time truck driver.

Fields

Astronomy Astrophysics Physics

Areas of Expertise

Solar flares, Solar eclipses, Solar activity, Sunspots, Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis

Media Experience

Dr Milligan wrote and developed his own TV show for BBC NI (Space Truckers). He's a frequent contributor on BBC Radio Ulster. He has published articles/op-eds for the New York Times, The Independent and The Conversation UK and has been interviewed for/featured in BBC, Washington Post, EOS, The Mirror, Newsweek, as well as local newspapers and the Best of Belfast and NI Connections podcasts. He has also appeared on TV news programs on RTE (Ireland), ABC (Australia), and CTV (Canada).