WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL PROCESSES UNDERPINNING THE SUN-EARTH CONNECTION?
The Sun is the powerhouse of our solar system and its daily variability can have profound consequences for Earth. Space Weather is the name given to the impact of events, like solar flares or coronal mass ejections from the Sun, on our technologically-advanced society. This impact can be both beautiful, like the Northern lights or potentially extremely detrimental such as damaging satellites or increasing radiation that is harmful to aircrew and astronauts.
Satellites are essential to modern life. Every time we use internet banking, use a smartphone to navigate, or fly, we are using satellite technology. Adverse space weather can directly impact our satellites and therefore our society. In order to understand and address the risks associated with space weather, we need to understand its origins and drivers. Space weather features on the UK National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies which has led to the creation of a dedicated Space Weather Operations Centre within the UK’s Met Office.
Northumbria’s Solar and Space researchers work to understand the physics of the Sun and all aspects of the solar-terrestrial connection to improve space weather forecasting. We are also improving satellite technology - to better protect and utilise humanity’s use of space – including hosting a state-of-the-art Space Technology Laboratory, training the next-generation of space-related engineers and instrument teams.
OUR SPACE RESEARCH COMMUNITY
Our Solar and Space researchers demonstrate international leadership across theory, numerical modelling, observations of solar and space plasma, data intensive science, and space-related hardware.
We collaborate extensively with partners including UK Research and Innovation, the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the UK Met Office, and over 40 industrial partners.
To find out more about our research funding click here
ACADEMIC LEAD
Professor James McLaughlin
