Space Weather

9.2  Space Weather

 

Definition

Space weather refers to the environmental conditions in the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere as a result of activity occurring on the surface of the Sun (influenced by the solar wind)

 The effects of space weather on activity on Earth:

Aurora

Aurora is a colorful light at night in the north pole and south pole

- When the Sun is active, many charged particles are released and trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field

- Charged particles are carried by the Earth's magnetic field to the north and south poles and collisions occur and interact with nitrogen and oxygen in the upper atmosphere

- This interaction produces green, blue, and red lights

- The aurora in the northern hemisphere is called the aurora borealis

- The aurora in the southern hemisphere is called the aurora australis

Telecommunication interference

- The ionosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that serves to reflect radio waves in communication

- Geomagnetic storms are temporary disturbances of the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by solar winds or strong radiation eruptions

- Electrically charged particles from the Sun enter the ionosphere near the Earth's magnetic poles and ionize the molecules to form electrons and positive ions

- This increase in the number of electrons causes the ionosphere to absorb radio waves in the polar regions of the Earth and causes radio interference

- These electrically charged particles also interfere with cell phone waves, communication satellites, and aviation radio communication interference

Navigation system interference

- Interference in the ionosphere can also reduce the accuracy of navigation systems (GPS) used by ships, aircraft and land vehicles

- Due to the varying electron densities in the ionosphere as a result of geomagnetic storms

- Affects media and telecommunications satellites and can also suffer damage if exposed to radiation

Grid power line interference

- Geomagnetic storms can cause high electrical currents in long conductors such as power lines (electrical cables)

- Excessive current will melt the transformer causing damage to the power line system and causing power outage

- The strongest solar flare in history was recorded in 1859, the Carrington Event of 1859

- The Carrington incident of 1859 damaged the telegraph system in use at the time

 Interpret space weather data:

  • The space weather depends on the solar cycle

  • Calculating the number of sunspots can track the solar cycle

  • The beginning of the solar cycle is known as the minimum solar that has the least number of sunspots

  • The middle of the solar cycle is known as the maximum solar that has the most number of sunspots

Space Weather

9.2  Space Weather

 

Definition

Space weather refers to the environmental conditions in the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere as a result of activity occurring on the surface of the Sun (influenced by the solar wind)

 The effects of space weather on activity on Earth:

Aurora

Aurora is a colorful light at night in the north pole and south pole

- When the Sun is active, many charged particles are released and trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field

- Charged particles are carried by the Earth's magnetic field to the north and south poles and collisions occur and interact with nitrogen and oxygen in the upper atmosphere

- This interaction produces green, blue, and red lights

- The aurora in the northern hemisphere is called the aurora borealis

- The aurora in the southern hemisphere is called the aurora australis

Telecommunication interference

- The ionosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that serves to reflect radio waves in communication

- Geomagnetic storms are temporary disturbances of the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by solar winds or strong radiation eruptions

- Electrically charged particles from the Sun enter the ionosphere near the Earth's magnetic poles and ionize the molecules to form electrons and positive ions

- This increase in the number of electrons causes the ionosphere to absorb radio waves in the polar regions of the Earth and causes radio interference

- These electrically charged particles also interfere with cell phone waves, communication satellites, and aviation radio communication interference

Navigation system interference

- Interference in the ionosphere can also reduce the accuracy of navigation systems (GPS) used by ships, aircraft and land vehicles

- Due to the varying electron densities in the ionosphere as a result of geomagnetic storms

- Affects media and telecommunications satellites and can also suffer damage if exposed to radiation

Grid power line interference

- Geomagnetic storms can cause high electrical currents in long conductors such as power lines (electrical cables)

- Excessive current will melt the transformer causing damage to the power line system and causing power outage

- The strongest solar flare in history was recorded in 1859, the Carrington Event of 1859

- The Carrington incident of 1859 damaged the telegraph system in use at the time

 Interpret space weather data:

  • The space weather depends on the solar cycle

  • Calculating the number of sunspots can track the solar cycle

  • The beginning of the solar cycle is known as the minimum solar that has the least number of sunspots

  • The middle of the solar cycle is known as the maximum solar that has the most number of sunspots