Space Weather Facts & Forecast

It's been known for over a century that auroral storms are stronger and more frequent around the spring and fall equinoxes. Why is this the case? In this episode I dig into the dynamics of the Russell-McPherron effect, a explanation for this variation proposed in 1973. And in the process, you just might learn a little more about the Bz and why it's so critical to aurora chasers! You'll also find this week's space weather forecast, as we wait for an incoming CME with a chance for Kp 7 storms!

Last month I talked about a potential bright comet coming, and now it's here! In this episode I give the information you need to find it. Catch its morning show if you're lucky, or wait for the main event in October. I also provide this week's space weather forecast, as we watch and wait for solar flares! Live comet tracking updates: https://theskylive.com/c2023a3-info

This fall, Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is predicted to be visible to the naked eye, and some think it could be a truly bright spectacle. In this show, I give an overview of how to look for the comet in September and October. I also describe how space weather is responsible for many of a comet's classic features! Visit theskylive.com/c2023a3-info for up-to-date info on the comet's brightness and location, so you can point your own telescope at it.

On May 10, we experienced one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in the last 25 years. In this episode, I summarise the key points of this article by Christian Harris, to see how the storm stacks up against the other main contender this century. https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/news/view/544/20240517-let-s-compare-halloween-2003-vs-may-2024-solar-storms.html

This month on the podcast, I talk about a special mission that was launched to study the sun and space weather. It's called the Parker Solar Probe, and it continues to send back fascinating data from inside the solar corona. Listen to learn all about it! I also give next week's space weather forecast. To learn more about the Parker Solar Probe and view it in 3D: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/parker-solar-probe/

In this episode I break down by latitude what Kp and other data to watch for when going aurora chasing in the Northern Hemisphere. It can seem an endless sea of confusing data values relating to the aurora, but you can quickly learn what to look for to decide whether the aurora might be visible from your location. spaceweatherlive.com is a great site to check with all the info you need in a user-friendly view.

The solar system is huge, and it turns out that defining where it ends is tricky! Depending on the definition we use, we can come up with wildly different estimates for its size. Listen to the show for an exploration of this fascinating topic! You'll also hear next week's space weather forecast, with some farside sunspots to keep an eye on.

Today, I give an overview of the Earth's magnetic field. How is it formed and what does it do? Listen to find out! I also give the space weather forecast, in which the Sun may finally be waking from a long sleep!

The sun clearly produces enormous amounts of light and heat, which sustain life on our planet. How does it do this? Is it a big ball of fire in space? I answer that and more in this episode. Additionally, I give the space weather forecast, with a chance for activity this weekend and next week.

On October 14, the annular solar eclipse I described in the last episode came and went. Hopefully you got to see it! Now, I'll be describing how solar eclipses affect space weather, and how they've been used to learn more about the sun. Also, I include the space weather forecast. The sun is surprisingly quiet this week!

In this show, learn what solar eclipses are and how to see two amazing upcoming ones! Here are the links to the useful pages I mention: October 14, 2023: timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2023-october-14 April 8, 2024: timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2024-april-8 Eclipse day weather: eclipsophile.com

The solar radio flux is an important value in space weather monitoring and helps gauge solar cycle strength. It also impacts HF radio. What is it? I explain in the show. Also, I give the space weather forecast, which is surprisingly quiet!

Today, I'm diving into a short history of space weather observation and forecasting, from the 19th century to the present day. Enjoy learning about space weather and keeping up to date on space weather news? Check out my new blog at https://space-weather-blog.blogspot.com/ ! The podcast release schedule is changing! Due to conflicting summer plans, shows will now come out on the third Saturday of the month.

Supernovas are a hot topic right now in the world of astronomy, as a new one was just discovered in the Pinwheel Galaxy! Listen to find out all about supernovas, their potential effects on Earth, and even how to see the newest one! You'll also find the space weather forecast, with a pretty quiet outlook.  

Solar radiation storms are yet another way space weather can impact humans and technology. How? All the answers are in the episode. I also include next week's space weather forecast, with a bit of a break from the constant activity we've had lately!

Sometimes, not only the aurora glows in the night sky. STEVE is a phenomenon only discovered in 2016 that can also be found lighting up the upper atmosphere. What is it and how can you see it? Listen to find out! Included is next week's solar forecast, with the sun taking a break from major activity.

In this episode I take a look at two solar phenomena that are really the same thing with different names: filaments and prominences. Want to learn what they are or how they impact Earth? Listen to find out! There is also the space weather forecast, with filaments creating the main activity.

In this episode, I take a look at our solar cycle, cycle 25, and how it's progressing. One thing is for sure, predicting solar cycle strength is no easy task! Some material is taken from this article on SpaceWeatherLive by Christian Harris: https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/news/view/486/20230208-an-expansion-on-solar-cycle-prediction.html

In this episode I cover radio blackouts: what they are, how they're connected to solar flares, why they matter, and more. I also give the space weather forecast, with many big flare players for an active start to the new year!

Auroras on Earth are spectacular enough. Auroras on other planets, though, put ours to shame! And there are a variety of ways in which other planets' auroras even form. Listen to find out more! The space weather forecast is also contained, with as much as three solar flare players, and a chance for aurora in the mix.

This episode takes a look at solar cycles, answering many common questions, such as what they are and why they happen, and giving plenty of extra interesting information. The space weather forecast is included as well, with a decent chance for flares on the menu.

The solar wind is the single biggest space weather factor that affects Earth. But how does it originate? Or what even is it? Listen for the answers to those and many more questions. And you'll also get the space weather forecast, and find out about how Earth has been playing some cosmic CME dodgeball!

In this show, I take a look at the Kp index, and answer some common questions about it. Ever wondered what it is, how it's measured, or what it's useful for? Listen to find out! And I give next week's forecast, including the return of an X-flare player!

Coronal holes are one of the two solar features (along with sunspots) that can cause geomagnetic storms at earth. But what even are they and how do they do this? All the answers are in the episode! And of course the forecast, with a quiet sun, but still a chance for aurora.

Sunspots are the origin of most solar phenomena that affect earth. But what exactly are they and how are they classified? Listen to find out! And I also provide the space weather forecast, with the potential for a some aurora in the mix.

Space weather's effect on power grids is becoming a growing area of concern as humans become increasingly dependant on electricity. What are these effects and how can we prevent them? I answer that and more in this episode. Plus I give next week's space weather forecast, with the sun beginning to return to activity!