Space weather as a research area investigates the variable conditions in space driven primarily by solar activity and their impact on the heliosphere, near-Earth environment, and technological systems. It encompasses the study of the solar magnetic field, flares, coronal mass ejections, high-speed solar wind streams, and energetic particles, and how these phenomena interact with planetary magnetospheres, ionospheres, and upper atmospheres. Research integrates observations, theory, and physics-based modeling to understand and predict geomagnetic storms, radiation belt dynamics, ionospheric disturbances, and associated hazards to satellites, communication and navigation systems, power grids, and human spaceflight.
A NASA X-ray imager is heading to the moon as part of NASA's Artemis campaign, where it will capture the first global images of the magnetic field that shields Earth from solar radiation.
Planetary Sciences
Jan 3, 2025
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59
"Killer electrons" that travel at nearly light speed inside Earth's Van Allen belts—the zone that surrounds the planet and traps energetic charged particles—pose a major threat to equipment in space by causing malfunctions ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 11, 2024
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52
During May 2024, a series of eruption events on the sun saw the largest geomagnetic storm hit Earth in two decades. The largest since the solar storms of Halloween 2003, it occurred from May 10 to May 13, producing aurorae ...
Encircling Earth are the Van Allen radiation belts—vast, doughnut-shaped rings of highly energetic charged particles, mostly originating from the sun, that are trapped by our planet's magnetic field, or magnetosphere. The ...
Planetary Sciences
Oct 16, 2024
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NASA's $5.2 billion Europa Clipper mission to study Jupiter's fourth-largest moon—Europa—and assess its potential for harboring life will see the spacecraft travel through the most powerful radiation belt in the solar system.
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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41
This week across much of the world, including the UK, the majestic aurora borealis (Northern Lights) was once again visible to us.
Astronomy
Oct 15, 2024
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59
A severe solar storm is headed to Earth that could stress power grids even more as the U.S. deals with major back-to-back hurricanes, space weather forecasters said Wednesday.
Planetary Sciences
Oct 9, 2024
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58
Solar storms may cause faint northern lights across fringes of the northern United States over the weekend as forecasters monitor for possible disruptions to power and communications.
Space Exploration
Oct 4, 2024
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128
The Southwest Research Institute-developed Solar Wind Plasma Sensor (SWiPS) has been delivered and integrated into a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite dedicated to tracking space weather. SWiPS ...
Space Exploration
Oct 2, 2024
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