At a time in the sun's cycle when space weather experts expect less solar activity, our star is going bonkers with solar flares and coronal mass ejections. What effects will Earth feel?
Stranded sperm whale in the Netherlands.
REMKO DE WAAL/EPA
Our growing dependency on satellites for all forms of communication has made the problem of space weather even more acute.
An artist’s illustration of Kappa Ceti whose stellar winds are 50 times stronger than our sun’s. Any Earth-like planet would need a magnetic field to protect its atmosphere if it was to stand a chance of hosting life.
M. Weiss/CfA
Geomagnetic storms can interact with particles near Earth, causing issues for satellites and other tech. Researchers send balloons 20 miles into the sky to figure out just what's going on up there.
When the sun flares, space weather is on its way to Earth.
NASA/SDO
Our power grid infrastructure on Earth is more vulnerable to space weather than previously thought – with susceptibility in more regions and even during quiet geomagnetic periods.
The magnificent solar flare that emerged from the sun in August 2012. Luckily, it didn’t head towards earth.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
A rare but dramatic solar storm could have a damaging effect on aircraft systems crucial for safe flight. New technology can help us avoid serious consequences.
It looks mean from this close, but it’s still damaging when it reaches Earth.
Solar Dynamics Observatory/NASA
We’ve all been caught out by a thunderstorm or freezing winter morning down on planet Earth, but up in space things are rather different. Fluctuations in the weather up there won’t make you cold or damp…
A US Chinook similar to the one involved in the gun battle of Takur Ghar.
Flickr/The U S Army
Three American soldiers* may have died in Afghanistan’s battle of Takur Ghar because of disruptions caused by plasma bubbles – a form of space weather – according to a new study. Space weather is normally…
