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What is Space weather?
Space weather refers to the conditions and phenomena that occur in the space environment, particularly in the vicinity of Earth and the Sun. It is influenced by the dynamic behavior of the Sun, the solar wind (a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun), and the Earth's magnetic field. Just like Earth's weather, space weather can vary and have impacts on our planet and its technological systems.
Space weather includes a range of phenomena, such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and geomagnetic storms. Solar flares are sudden and intense bursts of radiation that occur near sunspots on the Sun's surface. CMEs are massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun's corona, which can release billions of tons of charged particles into space. When these charged particles reach Earth, they can interact with the planet's magnetic field, causing disturbances known as geomagnetic storms.
The effects of space weather can be both beneficial and detrimental. The interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field produces auroras, beautiful natural light displays in the polar regions. However, severe space weather events can also pose risks to various technological systems and infrastructure. Intense geomagnetic storms can induce electric currents in power grids, leading to power outages. They can also disrupt satellite operations, GPS navigation, and radio communications, and affect the performance of spacecraft and astronauts in orbit.
To monitor and predict space weather, scientists and organizations around the world use a network of ground-based and space-based observatories, satellites, and models. This allows them to gather data on solar activity, monitor the solar wind, and forecast the occurrence and potential impacts of space weather events. These predictions help to mitigate the risks associated with space weather and allow for the implementation of protective measures when necessary.
Image source: NASA/SDO/AIA
