What is space weather?

Space weather encompasses a range of environmental phenomena, ultimately driven by solar activity. The emission of solar energy and material directed towards Earth can drive changes in the electromagnetic and radiation environment in near-Earth space, in the atmosphere and at the surface. Under normal levels of solar activity, the impact of space weather is minimal. However, natural variations in solar activity can drive periods of severe and extreme space weather. During powerful disturbances, the intensity of many space weather phenomena can increase by many orders of magnitude, with potentially significant impacts on human technology, including satellites, power grids, communications, navigation, and transport infrastructure. Space weather thus presents an environmental risk to some of the critical hardware, infrastructure and services underpinning our society and economy. The risk of space weather is recognised by its inclusion in the UK National Risk Register for Civil Emergencies.

Lancaster University researchers in Physics Department and the School of Engineering are undertaking research to better monitor, understand and predict space weather. This research is informed by collaborations with stakeholders in industry and government.