What Is Space Weather?
Space weather refers to conditions in space driven by the Sun’s activity, particularly:
Solar flares
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
Solar wind
These events send charged particles toward Earth.
Earth’s Magnetic Field
Earth is surrounded by a magnetosphere, generated by its molten iron core. This magnetic field:
Deflects charged particles
Protects the atmosphere
Guides particles toward the poles
How Auroras Form
When solar particles collide with atmospheric gases near the poles, they release energy as light.
Oxygen → green/red
Nitrogen → blue/purple
This creates the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis.
Why Space Weather Matters
Strong solar storms can:
Disrupt satellites
Knock out power grids
Interfere with radio communication
Understanding space weather helps protect modern technology.
Key Takeaways
Space weather comes from the Sun
Earth’s magnetic field protects us
Auroras are a visible result of solar activity