Space Weather : Discovery News

Our Planet, Tangled in Magnetic Spaghetti

Posted by Ian O'Neill Tue Feb 7, 2012 03:40 PM ET | 0

OK, so it's not real spaghetti -- it's a computer visualization of the complex magnetic field that creates Earth's magnetosphere -- but it sure looks tangled. Read more

Our Planet, Tangled in Magnetic Spaghetti

Cosmic Rays Probably Killed Russian Mars Probe

Posted by Ian O'Neill Tue Jan 31, 2012 02:54 PM ET | 0

Forget the conspiracy theories, it was actually the universe that conspired against Phobos-Grunt, knocking out its onboard electronics with high-energy particles. Read more

Cosmic Rays Probably Killed Russian Mars Probe

Mars-bound Rover Feels Wrath of Sun's Radiation

Posted by Ian O'Neill Mon Jan 30, 2012 04:52 PM ET | 0

Last week, as the sun crackled with flare activity and launched a succession of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), it wasn't only Earth that felt the sun's wrath. Read more

Mars-bound Rover Feels Wrath of Sun's Radiation

Cold Plasma Layer Detected High Above Earth

Posted Fri Jan 27, 2012 02:00 PM ET | 0

Cold, electrically charged particles have long been suspected to exist tens of thousands of miles above the Earth's surface, and now satellites have detected such ions there for the first time. Read more

Largest Solar Radiation Storm Since 2003

Posted by Ian O'Neill Wed Jan 25, 2012 05:12 AM ET | 0

As the Earth's magnetic field begins to calm after several days of intense geomagnetic activity, the NOAA has announced that we experienced the largest solar radiation storm since 2003. Read more

Largest Solar Radiation Storm Since 2003

Airline Diverts Aircraft During Solar Storm

Posted by Ian O'Neill Tue Jan 24, 2012 04:43 PM ET | 0

Delta Airlines have diverted "a handful" of polar routes as a precautionary measure as a large geomagnetic storm threatens surface-to-air communications. Read more

Airline Diverts Aircraft During Solar Storm

INCOMING! Sun Blasts Another CME at Earth and Mars

Posted by Ian O'Neill Mon Jan 23, 2012 03:49 PM ET | 0

You may not know it, but there's an epic magnetic battle between the sun and Earth raging over our heads. Read more

INCOMING! Sun Blasts Another CME at Earth and Mars

Spectacular Aurorae Erupt Over Norway: Big Pic

Posted Mon Jan 23, 2012 01:53 PM ET | 0

A coronal mass ejection pounded the Earth's atmosphere on Sunday, generating spectacular light displays over Norway. Read more

Sun Drags Space Junk Out of Earth Orbit

Posted by Ian O'Neill Fri Jan 20, 2012 02:08 PM ET | 0

The uptick in solar activity has caused the Earth's atmosphere to expand, aiding the removal of dangerous space debris from orbit. Read more

Christmas Solar Eruption to Hit Earth and Mars

Posted by Ian O'Neill Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:41 PM ET | 0

It's coming right at us! But don't worry, it shouldn't hurt too much when the coronal mass ejection (CME) hits. Read more

Christmas Solar Eruption to Hit Earth and Mars

Could Galactic Cataclysms Be Recorded on the Moon?

Posted by Ray Villard Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:55 AM ET | 0

The sun and planets have been on an interstellar journey for billions of years and the moon may have recorded galactic events along the way. Read more

Could Galactic Cataclysms Be Recorded on the Moon?

Is Newt Gingrich's EMP Doomsday a Reality?

Posted by Ian O'Neill Mon Dec 12, 2011 03:08 PM ET | 0

The GOP presidential candidate is concerned about an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) caused by a nuclear warhead detonated in space. Is this a viable weapon? Yes... and no. Read more

Is Newt Gingrich's EMP Doomsday a Reality?

A Super-Solar Portrait: Big Pic

Posted Mon Nov 14, 2011 03:09 AM ET | 0

Our sun is seen in all its magnificence in this stunning panorama created by photographer Alan Friedman. Read more

Solar Active Region 'Larger Than Jupiter'

Posted by Ian O'Neill Tue Nov 8, 2011 03:47 AM ET | 0

You may be preoccupied with Tuesday's asteroid 2005 YU55 flyby, but there's another astronomical event currently unfolding in the solar system. Read more