Space Weather

Milmar M. Ramirez Weather Analysis 407Space Weather

SPACE WEATHER The concept of changing environmental conditions in near earth space. It describes the changes of plasmas, magnetic fields, radiation and matters in space. This weather is mostly carried by energy through interplanetary space by the solar wind from regions near the surface of the sun. Sun

Magnetic field is created by the sun to the solar atmosphere and energy is released to space. This energy is released as magnetic field, light and particles such as protons and electrons. By this processes the sun losses material.

Earths space environment is called inter planetary space. This environment is filled with light, particles , plasma and magnetic fields. Plasma- is the 4 state of matter, it is similar to a gas, but is composed of ionized or charged particles. This particles and materials start to travel through the inter planetary space region. But the solar wind travels a million mph so it encounters earths own magnetic field.This interaction is really important for Earth, if this wouldn't happened the earths magnetic field will be a dipole.

Solar Wind Comes from the energy outside the visible spectrum created by the sun. It can be describe as gas flowing from the sun. Is made of plasma, particles and carries magnetic field. Solar winds has violent events which include: solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and solar eruptions. This events increase the emission of electromagnetic radiation and increase solar wind.

CME Coronal Mass ejectionLarge ejection of coronal material from the sun. This eruptions are sometimes directed towards the earth. What happens when this solar flares get to earth. http://www.universetoday.com/100969/this-is-what-can-happen-when-a-cme-hits-earth/Aurora can be seen in higher latitudes, because of earths magnetic poles that are shifted from its geographic northern and south poles. Solar Cycle Is approximately 11 years of activity marked by the increase and decrease in solar spots. Classified in solar minimum few spots Solar maximum many spotsThe solar spots appear at the middle of solar latitudes. As the cycle progresses the number of sun spots increases and close to the equator. Is a cycle going from minimum to maximum all the time.

www.nasa.gov Consequences of Space weatherMost of the 3 major types of space weather events affect technologies on earth. Radio blackout- is caused by he ionosphere caused by the X-ray of solar flare. Since density of the D-region increases affecting radio waves to be misdirected or absorbed. This X-rays travels from sun to earth in about 8 minutes. This radio blackouts affect communication. Solar radiation- energetic particles of the sun.Elevates the levels of radiation near Earth. Radiation storms affect astronauts and to a lesser degree passengers in commercial jets.Also severe damage in electronics and radio communication. It can last a few days, they arrive to earth in as little of 10 min.Geomagnetic storm- caused by gust solar wind. 18 hrs to 4 days and may last for a day or two.Responsible for the magnificent auroras.

Impacts of Space WeatherGeomagnetic storm destroy power transformer in South Africa.

https://www.meted.ucar.eduNOAAs Space Weather CenterUS office of space weather alerts, watches and warnings. In this office they delivered space weather alerts 24/7 they are continually updating solar and geophysical data. The updated about the state of the sun, heliosphere, magnetosphere, and Ionosphere.

www.nasa.govForecasting Space weather Is similar to forecasting normal weather. They use imagery, statistics, models, pattern recognition and experience are really important to forecast this type of weather. Spacecraft are the ones in charged to collect space data imagery and ground instruments provide information of Earths magnetic field and Ionosphere.Weather events in space are categorized on a scale form 1 to 5 being the highest. This rate is based on physical measurements on each storm. On the other hand, geomagnetic storms are rate based on the variation of Earth magnetic field.

Solar radiation storm, are rated on the proton intensity near the Earth and radio blackout are based on X-ray intensity. Is similar to the scale we use to defined hurricanes and tornadoes.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/Instruments Use

360 View of the sunhttps://www.meted.ucar.eduSpace weather is important since it creates many problems with our technology systems as well as for astronauts. So the mission of the SWPC is to observed and forecast the Earths space environments so the conditions in the space environment are save for astronauts and for our technology.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QQdJBeTUJI