Physics of Space Weather

Subatomic particles zipping around through magnetized plasma - does that sound like physics to you? The tools of the science of physics are essential ingredients for an understanding of space weather phenomena. This page provides links to physics fundamentals relevant to space weather.
This is an artist's conception of the Earth and the inner and outer <a href="/glossary/radiation_belts.html&edu=elem&dev=">radiation belts</a> that surround it. The Earth's radiation belts are just one part of the system called the <a href="/earth/Magnetosphere/overview.html&edu=elem&dev=">magnetosphere</a>. The radiation belts of the Earth are made up of <a href="/physical_science/physics/atom_particle/electron.html&edu=elem&dev=">electrons</a>, <a href="/physical_science/physics/atom_particle/proton.html&edu=elem&dev=">protons</a> and heavier atomic ions. These particles get trapped in the <a href="/earth/Magnetosphere/earth_magnetic_field.html&edu=elem&dev=">magnetic field of the Earth</a>. These belts were <a href="/earth/Magnetosphere/radiation_belts_discovery.html&edu=elem&dev=">discovered</a> by James Van Allen in 1958, and so they are known as Van Allen Belts.<p><small><em>Courtesy of Windows to the Universe</em></small></p>

Explore Physics of Space Weather

Starting Points for Science

Some basic concepts find applications in many, many places throughout science, especially physical ...Read more

Mechanics

Mechanics is the term used to refer to one of the main branches of the science of physics. ...Read more

Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity and magnetism are two closely related and very important topics within the science ...Read more

Thermal Physics

The scientific field of thermal physics is concerned with heat and temperature. When we delve ...Read more

Atomic Physics and Particle Physics

Atoms and the minute particles from which they are made strongly influence the nature of many ...Read more

Tools for Math and Science

Some concepts are used in many different fields of science and serve as a general purpose "toolbox" ...Read more

Historical Events

12/5 Werner Heisenberg, a German physicist, was born on this date in 1901 Details
12/7 Gerard Kuiper, an American astronomer, was born on this date in 1905 Details
12/10 Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace, a British mathematician, was born on this date in 1815 Details

Full Earth and Space Science    History Calendar (Members only)

Teacher Opportunities

Full Teacher Events Calendar (Educator Members only)

Did you know?

Did you know that a moon has been found to orbit the asteroid Eugenia?

Do you know why earthquakes happen?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Ozone layer
xOzone layer : A range of altitudes in Earth's stratosphere which has a higher concentration of ozone molecules.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Mysterious Clouds Produced When Aircraft Inadvertently Cause Rain or Snow

As turboprop and jet aircraft climb or descend under certain atmospheric conditions, they can inadvertently "seed" mid-level clouds, causing narrow bands of snow or rain to develop and fall to...Read more


Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA