An introduction to space
weather
June 2014
Space weather is…
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
A term for conditions in space, near the Earth
A natural hazard
A result of the Sun’s activity
Not new
A possible cause of disruption to our lives
The solar wind
•  The Sun constantly releases a stream of
charged particles: the solar wind
•  The stream of particles varies in:
–  Temperature
–  Speed
–  Density
•  The solar wind constantly interacts with the
Earth’s magnetic field
The solar wind
Coronal mass ejections
•  A massive explosion of particles
and magnetic fields from the Sun
•  Mostly “plasma” (charged
particles)
•  Caused by sudden shifts in the
Sun’s magnetic field
•  Can cause magnetic storms on
Earth
•  Shock wave from explosion can
cause solar radiation storms
Solar flares
•  A sudden release of energy from
the Sun – looks like a sudden flash
of brightness
•  Often linked to coronal mass
ejections
•  Caused by sudden shifts in the
Sun’s magnetic field
•  Can also lead to solar radiation
storms
Solar radio bursts
•  Strong bursts of natural radio
waves from the Sun
•  Often happen alongside
coronal mass ejections or
solar flares
•  Can interfere with radio signals
and wireless technologies
Storms
•  Two types of storm at Earth can occur as a
result of space weather events:
–  Magnetic (or geomagnetic) storm: temporary
disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field
–  Solar radiation storm: particles from the sun
interact with particles in the Earth’s atmosphere,
causing increased radiation levels
So what?
•  Large, sudden space weather events – severe
space weather events – have the potential to
disrupt our lives
•  Impacts can occur:
–  In space (spacecraft and satellites)
–  In our atmosphere (aircraft)
–  On the ground (electricity, transport,
communications)