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…

This week, our Sun is sending us nearly continuous fast solar wind and it has been lighting up our skies with aurora. Some photographers have managed to capture aurora during the blood moon total lunar eclipse! The aurora shows have been intensified by several solar storm eruptions, at times bumping us to G2 storm…

Solar activity has ramped up considerably over the last few days, including big solar flares, a radiation storm, and what looks like a promising Earth-directed solar storm and more to come. In particular, the Earth-directed solar storm could bring aurora just in time for the planetary alignment on February 28. Aurora photographers should be…

Our Sun plays Cupid this week by ensuring we have some solar storming through this upcoming Valentines Day weekend. Even as we calm down from some fast solar wind, another pocket of fast wind is on its way to Earth. Sandwiched within the fast wind will be several stealthy solar storms and a narrowBởi Dr. Tamitha Skov

A massive set of coronal holes will be sending us some fast solar wind over the next few days. These dark, ominous, features are about to become regular visitors as we continue our descent into the declining phase of the solar cycle. Even though this phase is just beginning, we could see some prettyBởi Dr. Tamitha Skov

This week our Sun launches multiple big solar storms, most of which have given us some gorgeous eye candy. One of these eruptions launched a strong Earth-directed solar storm that hit Earth, but it was the wrong magnetic orientation to cause issues. We have also had several spectacular farsided eruptions, which hint that old…

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Activity picks up this week in a big way with a lot of eye-candy on the Earth-facing Sun and on the farside too. Two Earth-directed solar storms could impact Earth this week bringing aurora down to mid-latitudes during the holiday festivities. Although the storming isnt expected to be very strong, we…

This week our star kicks activity into high gear with some fast-growing active regions in Earth view. One of these taking center stage is Region 3883, which has fired multiple big flares and launched a very dense solar storm that looks to have an Earth-directed component. If this storm grazes Earth, as the models…

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://thesky…

Our Sun launched multiple Earth-directed solar storms towards Earth this week, with the first one hitting us just now (it is fashionably late). The second will likely hit late on September 12 and be followed by some fast solar wind. This means aurora photographers could be in for an extended show from about now…

Although we are calming down from several solar storms that hit back to back over the past week and gave us some decent aurora, our Sun isn't calming down. We have four active regions that are about to rotate into Earth view that have been firing big flares and launching solar storms on theBởi Dr. Tamitha Skov

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…

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-sol…

This week our Sun stays active but has terrible aim. Earth has dodged at least four solar storms launched off the Earth-facing Sun. The only expected impact will be from some fast solar wind over the next couple of days, but that shouldn't cause too much trouble for radio amateurs participating in "Field Day"…

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 …

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 si…

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!Bởi Isaac Bredeman

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.Bởi Isaac Bredeman

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.comBởi Isaac Bredeman

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!Bởi Isaac Bredeman

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,…

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!Bởi Isaac Bredeman

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.Bởi Isaac Bredeman

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!Bởi Isaac Bredeman

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.…