Physics of Space Weather

Subatomic particles zipping around through magnetized plasma - does that sound like physics to you? The tools of the science of physics are essential ingredients for an understanding of space weather phenomena. This page provides links to physics fundamentals relevant to space weather.
This is an artist's conception of the Earth and the inner and outer <a href="/glossary/radiation_belts.html&edu=high&dev=1">radiation belts</a> that surround it. The Earth's radiation belts are just one part of the system called the <a href="/earth/Magnetosphere/overview.html&edu=high&dev=1">magnetosphere</a>. The radiation belts of the Earth are made up of <a href="/physical_science/physics/atom_particle/electron.html&edu=high&dev=1">electrons</a>, <a href="/physical_science/physics/atom_particle/proton.html&edu=high&dev=1">protons</a> and heavier atomic ions. These particles get trapped in the <a href="/earth/Magnetosphere/earth_magnetic_field.html&edu=high&dev=1">magnetic field of the Earth</a>. These belts were <a href="/earth/Magnetosphere/radiation_belts_discovery.html&edu=high&dev=1">discovered</a> by James Van Allen in 1958, and so they are known as Van Allen Belts.<p><small><em>Courtesy of Windows to the Universe</em></small></p>

Explore Physics of Space Weather

Starting Points for Science

Some basic concepts find applications in many, many places throughout science, especially physical ...Read more

Mechanics

Mechanics is the term used to refer to one of the main branches of the science of physics. ...Read more

Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity and magnetism are two closely related and very important topics within the science ...Read more

Thermal Physics

The scientific field of thermal physics is concerned with heat and temperature. When we delve ...Read more

Atomic Physics and Particle Physics

Atoms and the minute particles from which they are made strongly influence the nature of many ...Read more

Tools for Math and Science

Some concepts are used in many different fields of science and serve as a general purpose "toolbox" ...Read more

Historical Events

Full Earth and Space Science    History Calendar (Members only)

Teacher Opportunities

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Did you know?

Did you know that the lights of the aurora come in different colors, depending on the energy of the particles that produce the aurora?

Did you know that Huizilopochtli was dressed with hummingbird feathers on his head?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Riparian
xRiparian : The bank of a river or other body of water; may include the floodplains

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Extended Period of Lower Solar Activity Linked to Changes in Sun's Conveyor Belt

A new analysis of the unusually long solar cycle that ended in 2008 suggests that one reason for the long cycle could be a stretching of the sun's conveyor belt, a current of plasma that circulates between...Read more


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