Space weather
hideSpace weather is the concept of changing environmental conditions in near-Earth space. It is distinct from the concept of weather within a planetary atmosphere, and deals with phenomena involving ambient plasma, magnetic fields, radiation and other matter in space. "Space weather" often implicitly means the conditions in near-Earth space within the magnetosphere, but it is also studied in interplanetary (and occasionally interstellar space).
Within our own solar system, space weather is greatly influenced by the speed and density of the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) carried by the solar wind plasma. A variety of physical phenomena are associated with space weather, including geomagnetic storms and substorms, energization of the Van Allen radiation belts, ionospheric disturbances and scintillation, aurora and geomagnetically induced currents at Earth's surface. Coronal Mass Ejections and their associated shock waves are also important drivers of space weather as they can compress the magnetosphere and trigger geomagnetic storms. Solar Energetic Particles, accelerated by coronal mass ejections or solar flares, are also an important driver of space weather as they can damage electronics onboard spacecraft through induced electric currents,[citation needed] and threaten the life of astronauts.
Space weather exerts a profound influence in several areas related to space exploration and development. Changing geomagnetic conditions can induce changes in atmospheric density causing the rapid degradation of spacecraft altitude in Low Earth orbit. Geomagnetic storms due to increased solar activity can potentially blind sensors aboard spacecraft, or interfere with on-board electronics. An understanding of space environmental conditions is also important in designing shielding and life support systems for manned spacecraft. There is also some concern that geomagnetic storms may also expose conventional aircraft flying at high latitudes to increased amounts of radiation.
For more information about Space weather, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with space weather
NRL Sensor Observes First Light
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Dec 02, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
The Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager (SSULI) developed by NRL's Spacecraft Engineering Department and Space Science Division, launched October 18, 2009 on the U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite ...
Search results for space weather
Thanksgiving last full day in space for shuttle
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 26, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts will spend Thanksgiving checking their ship for the ride home.
ISS astronauts land safely in Kazakhstan
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Dec 01, 2009 |
5 / 5 (3) |
0
A space capsule carrying a Belgian, a Canadian and a Russian landed safely in the steppes of Kazakhstan on Tuesday after the trio spent half a year on the International Space Station (ISS).
China to launch second lunar probe: state media
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 27, 2009 |
5 / 5 (6) |
0
China will launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media reported Friday, as it powers ahead with a space programme that has sparked concerns abroad.
Astronauts surprised by holiday turkey dinners
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 26, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
0
(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts thought they were going to give thanks with pantry leftovers Thursday as their mission drew to a close, but found turkey dinners awaiting them.
Nanotech in Space: Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit
Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials
Nov 24, 2009 |
4 / 5 (2) |
0
Novel nanomaterials developed at Rensselaer were sent into orbit on Nov. 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.
'Environmental Atlas of Europe' unveiled at COP15
Dec 14, 2009 |
3 / 5 (2) |
1
In support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Copenhagen, the European Environment Agency hosted the 'Bend the Trend' event on Sunday evening to provide a global climate ...
Pollution alters isolated thunderstorms
Space & Earth / Earth Sciences
Dec 15, 2009 |
3 / 5 (4) |
10
New climate research reveals how wind shear -- the same atmospheric conditions that cause bumpy airplane rides -- affects how pollution contributes to isolated thunderstorm clouds. Under strong wind shear ...
Journal highlights forest service early warning system
Dec 13, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
A national early warning system designed to assist land managers in rapidly detecting threats to forest health is featured in the cover article of the October 2009 issue of Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing (PE&RS), ...
GOES-14 (O) moving into on-orbit storage around the Earth
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 30, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
0
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite named GOES-14, is being placed in on-orbit storage this month to await its call to duty.
Unique 'Climate One Stop' Web Site Unveiled in Copenhagen
Dec 15, 2009 |
2.9 / 5 (9) |
6
There's a storm brewing -- a storm of information, that is, in climate and environmental research. People are wading through the turbulence, trying to make sense of it all.
List of search results for space weather
