Space Weather

Why should we care about space weather as a tangible factor in our day-today lives?

“Space Weather” is a term used to describe the variations in the flux of solar or galactic energy and matter entering the Earth system. It includes key phenomena such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs, vast eruptions of magnetised plasma that explode from the solar atmosphere), and solar flares (hugely energetic and rapid releases of energy in the solar atmosphere). The field of Space Weather is a relatively infant science. Except for the calling card of the aurora, it is generally invisible to the occupants of our planet. Space weather has only relatively recently been recognised as posing a significant and increasing risk to human activity due to the rapid and widespread reliance on space-weather sensitive space-borne and ground-based technological systems.

This lecture will outline what space weather is and why we should care about it as a tangible factor in our day-today lives. Focus will be given to a physical explanation of the powerful solar eruptions that impact our near Earth environment, as well as a description of severe space weather. The potential consequences for a range of key modern technologies will be highlighted, and the lecture will conclude by considering mitigation strategies for life with our stormy star.

This event is free for anyone to attend whether they are a member or not, young or old.The Awards Ceremony and Lecture will be followed by a drinks reception kindly sponsored by dstl and Messier-Buggatti-Dowty.

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