Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) move from the surface of the Sun towards Earth through space. Top: CME is generated as an outflow of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun, moving through space to Earth over a matter of hours. Bottom: The magnetic fields of the CME and outflowing solar wind interact with Earth’s magnetic field, which shields it from greater effect.
Multimedia
Videos and images associated with solar storms and their impact on our planet.
Images
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) move from the surface of the Sun towards Earth through space. Top: CME is generated as an outflow of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun, moving through space to Earth over a matter of hours. Bottom: The magnetic fields of the CME and outflowing solar wind interact with Earth’s magnetic field, which shields it from greater effect.
Front gates at Shumagin Geomagnetic Observatory during installation, before landscaping to eliminate standing water.
Front gates at Shumagin Geomagnetic Observatory during installation, before landscaping to eliminate standing water.
Brick signs for Fredericksburg Magnetic Observatory and National Ocean Service.
Brick signs for Fredericksburg Magnetic Observatory and National Ocean Service.
More signs for Fredericksburg Magnetic Observatory.
More signs for Fredericksburg Magnetic Observatory.
Northern lights in and around Fairbanks, Alaska. Copyright: Photo taken by Miles B Tihansky
Northern lights in and around Fairbanks, Alaska. Copyright: Photo taken by Miles B Tihansky
Northern Lights over the World Heritage site. The aurora is more active when there are solar flares on the sun.
Northern Lights over the World Heritage site. The aurora is more active when there are solar flares on the sun.
Videos
Every 11 years the Sun's magnetic field flips. This period is referred to as a solar cycle. As we approach the peak of Solar Cycle 25, activity on the Sun’s surface will increase, including more solar flares, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections.
Every 11 years the Sun's magnetic field flips. This period is referred to as a solar cycle. As we approach the peak of Solar Cycle 25, activity on the Sun’s surface will increase, including more solar flares, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections.
Every 11 years the Sun's magnetic field flips. This period is referred to as a solar cycle. As we approach the peak of Solar Cycle 25, activity on the Sun’s surface will increase, including more solar flares, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections.
Every 11 years the Sun's magnetic field flips. This period is referred to as a solar cycle. As we approach the peak of Solar Cycle 25, activity on the Sun’s surface will increase, including more solar flares, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections.
Space weather can have important consequences for our lives, such as interference with radio communication, GPS systems, electric power grids, the operation and orientation of satellites, oil and gas drilling, and even air travel as high altitude pilots and astronauts can be subjected to enhanced levels of radiation.
Space weather can have important consequences for our lives, such as interference with radio communication, GPS systems, electric power grids, the operation and orientation of satellites, oil and gas drilling, and even air travel as high altitude pilots and astronauts can be subjected to enhanced levels of radiation.