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Solar Storm to Trigger Northern Lights in US: Visibility, Timing & Impact
A solar storm is expected to reach Earth tonight, potentially creating auroras visible as far south as New York and Idaho. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of NOAA forecasts a G1-class geomagnetic storm, with a possibility of stronger G2 conditions. This may lead to disruptions in GPS and radio signals. The best time to witness the northe...
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NASA’s New Missions Will Map the Sun and the Cosmos
NASA is set to launch two major missions, PUNCH and SPHEREx, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 2. PUNCH, a four-satellite system, will study the sun’s corona and space weather, while SPHEREx will create infrared maps of the cosmos to study galaxy evolution and cosmic history. These missions will contribute to a de...
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Solar Sail Satellites Could Enhance Space Weather Forecasting and Alerts
Solar sail satellites, harnessing sunlight for propulsion, are being developed to improve space weather forecasting. NOAA and NASA’s Solar Cruiser project aims to extend geomagnetic storm alert times by 50%, reducing risks to power grids, GPS, and air traffic. The new spacecraft, expected to launch in 2029, will move beyond traditional observatio...
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Tiny Plasma Jets on Sun Identified as Key Drivers of Solar Wind
Observations from ESA’s Solar Orbiter have revealed that tiny plasma jets, known as picoflares, are responsible for both the fast and slow components of the solar wind. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that different mechanisms drive these solar wind types. With further research, scientists hope to refine space weather predictions, p...
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May 2024 Solar Storm Triggers Unusual Radiation Belts, Raising Space Safety Concerns
A significant solar storm in May 2024 led to the creation of two temporary radiation belts, detected by the CIRBE satellite in June. One belt contained high-energy electrons, while the other was rich in protons, a rare occurrence. While the electron belt dissipated in three months, the proton-dominated belt remains, potentially affecting space miss...
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AMS Data Reveals Charged Particle Variations in Heliosphere Over Solar Cycle
Researchers analysing AMS data aboard the ISS have identified variations in charged particles within the heliosphere over an 11-year solar cycle. Shifts in the heliospheric magnetic field impact antiproton behaviour and cosmic nuclei fluxes, revealing correlations between solar modulation and cosmic ray movement. AMS measurements provide insights i...
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NASA’s PUNCH Mission Set to Track the Sun’s Corona and Solar Wind in 3D
NASA’s PUNCH mission, set for launch on Feb 27, will deploy four satellites to study the transition between the sun’s corona and the solar wind. The mission aims to improve understanding of space weather by capturing 3D images, helping predict solar storms with greater accuracy. The data will also complement NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, offerin...
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Massive Coronal Hole on Sun Sends High-Speed Solar Wind Toward Earth
A giant 800,000 km coronal hole on the Sun is unleashing high-speed solar wind toward Earth, potentially triggering a G1 geomagnetic storm on January 31 and February 1. The NOAA has issued a watch, predicting enhanced auroras in higher latitudes. While G1 storms are minor, they can impact satellites and power grids. The storm’s intensity remains ...
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Massive 500,000-Mile Coronal Hole on the Sun Blasts Solar Wind Toward Earth
A gigantic coronal hole, spanning 500,000 miles, has formed on the sun’s surface, allowing solar wind to escape at speeds of over 310 miles per second. Forecasts indicate that this solar wind may reach Earth by January 31, triggering a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm. While no severe impact is expected, the storm could enhance auroras at higher lati...
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Solar Storm Forecast to Trigger Northern Lights in Upper Midwest
A solar storm from a coronal mass ejection (CME) is set to strike Earth, bringing a minor geomagnetic storm to northern and upper Midwest states between January 24-25. Experts predict visible auroras across areas like Michigan and Maine, sparking excitement among aurora chasers. The storm, rated G1, could peak at Kp 5.33, with auroras expected to b...
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SpaceX Achieves 400 Orbital Rocket Landings with Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy
SpaceX achieved its 400th orbital-class rocket landing with Falcon 9 leading the charge. The company’s focus on reusable technology has reshaped space exploration, with Falcon Heavy contributing through multi-booster landings. Starship development also continues, aiming to support human missions to the moon and Mars. This milestone underlines Spa...
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Earth's Hidden 'Ignorosphere' Could Provide Insights into Auroras
A new dataset developed by Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo provides valuable insights into Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically the mesosphere. Spanning 19 years, the data sheds light on phenomena like auroras, gravity waves, and their connection to space weather. The study, published in Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, ...
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Study Finds Coronal Loop Flickers Could Predict Solar Flares Hours in Advance
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has revealed a potential breakthrough in predicting solar flares. Scientists observed brightness fluctuations in coronal loops—plasma structures in the Sun's atmosphere—that intensify hours before solar flares occur. This discovery, with a prediction accuracy of 60–80%, may provide 2–6 hours of advance warn...
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ESA Uses Solar Orbiter to Turn Solar Flares into Sound, Offering New Insights
The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with NASA, has used data from the Solar Orbiter mission to convert solar flares into audible sound. By mapping solar flare data into blue circles and pairing them with tones, a new way to experience solar activity has been created. This process is linked to the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, with curr...
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AI Enhances Northern Lights Classification and Geomagnetic Storm Forecasting
A breakthrough in auroral research, powered by artificial intelligence, has allowed scientists to classify over 700 million auroral images. This effort, using NASA's THEMIS dataset, will significantly enhance the prediction of geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt Earth's communication and security systems. Led by the University of New Hampshire, t...
-
Solar Storm to Trigger Northern Lights in US: Visibility, Timing & Impact
A solar storm is expected to reach Earth tonight, potentially creating auroras visible as far south as New York and Idaho. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of NOAA forecasts a G1-class geomagnetic storm, with a possibility of stronger G2 conditions. This may lead to disruptions in GPS and radio signals. The best time to witness the northe...
-
NASA’s New Missions Will Map the Sun and the Cosmos
NASA is set to launch two major missions, PUNCH and SPHEREx, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 2. PUNCH, a four-satellite system, will study the sun’s corona and space weather, while SPHEREx will create infrared maps of the cosmos to study galaxy evolution and cosmic history. These missions will contribute to a de...
-
Solar Sail Satellites Could Enhance Space Weather Forecasting and Alerts
Solar sail satellites, harnessing sunlight for propulsion, are being developed to improve space weather forecasting. NOAA and NASA’s Solar Cruiser project aims to extend geomagnetic storm alert times by 50%, reducing risks to power grids, GPS, and air traffic. The new spacecraft, expected to launch in 2029, will move beyond traditional observatio...
-
Tiny Plasma Jets on Sun Identified as Key Drivers of Solar Wind
Observations from ESA’s Solar Orbiter have revealed that tiny plasma jets, known as picoflares, are responsible for both the fast and slow components of the solar wind. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that different mechanisms drive these solar wind types. With further research, scientists hope to refine space weather predictions, p...
-
May 2024 Solar Storm Triggers Unusual Radiation Belts, Raising Space Safety Concerns
A significant solar storm in May 2024 led to the creation of two temporary radiation belts, detected by the CIRBE satellite in June. One belt contained high-energy electrons, while the other was rich in protons, a rare occurrence. While the electron belt dissipated in three months, the proton-dominated belt remains, potentially affecting space miss...
-
AMS Data Reveals Charged Particle Variations in Heliosphere Over Solar Cycle
Researchers analysing AMS data aboard the ISS have identified variations in charged particles within the heliosphere over an 11-year solar cycle. Shifts in the heliospheric magnetic field impact antiproton behaviour and cosmic nuclei fluxes, revealing correlations between solar modulation and cosmic ray movement. AMS measurements provide insights i...
-
NASA’s PUNCH Mission Set to Track the Sun’s Corona and Solar Wind in 3D
NASA’s PUNCH mission, set for launch on Feb 27, will deploy four satellites to study the transition between the sun’s corona and the solar wind. The mission aims to improve understanding of space weather by capturing 3D images, helping predict solar storms with greater accuracy. The data will also complement NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, offerin...
-
Massive Coronal Hole on Sun Sends High-Speed Solar Wind Toward Earth
A giant 800,000 km coronal hole on the Sun is unleashing high-speed solar wind toward Earth, potentially triggering a G1 geomagnetic storm on January 31 and February 1. The NOAA has issued a watch, predicting enhanced auroras in higher latitudes. While G1 storms are minor, they can impact satellites and power grids. The storm’s intensity remains ...
-
Massive 500,000-Mile Coronal Hole on the Sun Blasts Solar Wind Toward Earth
A gigantic coronal hole, spanning 500,000 miles, has formed on the sun’s surface, allowing solar wind to escape at speeds of over 310 miles per second. Forecasts indicate that this solar wind may reach Earth by January 31, triggering a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm. While no severe impact is expected, the storm could enhance auroras at higher lati...
-
Solar Storm Forecast to Trigger Northern Lights in Upper Midwest
A solar storm from a coronal mass ejection (CME) is set to strike Earth, bringing a minor geomagnetic storm to northern and upper Midwest states between January 24-25. Experts predict visible auroras across areas like Michigan and Maine, sparking excitement among aurora chasers. The storm, rated G1, could peak at Kp 5.33, with auroras expected to b...
-
SpaceX Achieves 400 Orbital Rocket Landings with Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy
SpaceX achieved its 400th orbital-class rocket landing with Falcon 9 leading the charge. The company’s focus on reusable technology has reshaped space exploration, with Falcon Heavy contributing through multi-booster landings. Starship development also continues, aiming to support human missions to the moon and Mars. This milestone underlines Spa...
-
Earth's Hidden 'Ignorosphere' Could Provide Insights into Auroras
A new dataset developed by Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo provides valuable insights into Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically the mesosphere. Spanning 19 years, the data sheds light on phenomena like auroras, gravity waves, and their connection to space weather. The study, published in Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, ...
-
Study Finds Coronal Loop Flickers Could Predict Solar Flares Hours in Advance
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has revealed a potential breakthrough in predicting solar flares. Scientists observed brightness fluctuations in coronal loops—plasma structures in the Sun's atmosphere—that intensify hours before solar flares occur. This discovery, with a prediction accuracy of 60–80%, may provide 2–6 hours of advance warn...
-
ESA Uses Solar Orbiter to Turn Solar Flares into Sound, Offering New Insights
The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with NASA, has used data from the Solar Orbiter mission to convert solar flares into audible sound. By mapping solar flare data into blue circles and pairing them with tones, a new way to experience solar activity has been created. This process is linked to the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, with curr...
-
AI Enhances Northern Lights Classification and Geomagnetic Storm Forecasting
A breakthrough in auroral research, powered by artificial intelligence, has allowed scientists to classify over 700 million auroral images. This effort, using NASA's THEMIS dataset, will significantly enhance the prediction of geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt Earth's communication and security systems. Led by the University of New Hampshire, t...
