Space Weather Facts & Forecast

How to Observe Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas: When and Where to Head Out

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://theskylive.com/c2023a3-info

How to See the Next Bright Comet (Maybe), and How Space Weather Affects Comets

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-to-date info on the comet's brightness and location, so you can point your own telescope at it.

The Strongest Storm in a Generation: May 2024 vs. Halloween 2003

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-solar-storms.html

Parker Solar Probe: A Mission to Touch the Sun

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 view it in 3D: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/parker-solar-probe/

How to Chase the Aurora: What Data to Look for Before You Head Out

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 site to check with all the info you need in a user-friendly view.

Where is the Edge of the Solar System? Plus the Space Weather Forecast

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.

Poles, Poles, and More Poles! How Does the Earth's Magnetic Field Work?

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!

How Does the Sun Burn?

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.

Space Weather and Solar Eclipses - How Are They Related?

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!

Solar Eclipses - What They Are, and How to See the Next Two

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.com