Space Weather, Environment and Societies

Author(s) Jean BornarelJean Lilensten
Sciences de la Terre et de l’univers, Sciences
Learning all about solar activity effects (particles and waves) (L1)

Presentation

Our planet exists within a space environment affected by constantly changing solar atmosphere producing cosmic particles and electromagnetic waves. This space weather profoundly influences the performance of our technology because we primarily use two means for transmitting information and energy; namely, electromagnetic waves and electricity. On an everyday basis, we have developed methods to cope with the normal conditions. However, the sun remains a fiery star whose 'angry' outbursts can potentially destroy spacecrafts, kill astronauts, melt electricity transformers, stop trains, and generally wreak havoc with human activities. Space Weather is the developing field within astronomy that aims at predicting the sun’s violent activity and minimizing the impacts on our daily lives. Space Weather, Environment, and Societies explains why our technological societies are so dependent on solar activity and how the Sun disturbs the transmission of information and energy. Footnotes expand specific points and the appendices facilitate a more thorough command of the physics involved.

Public: For graduate students in astronomy and general physics, geophysics, environmental scientists, astronomy and earth enthusiasts.

Authors

Jean Lilenstein is a Researcher (CNRS) in the Planetary Laboratory of the Grenoble University (Université Joseph Fourier) in France.

Jean Bornarel is a Professor at the Grenoble University (Université Joseph Fourier) and a Researcher in the Physics Spectrometry Laboratory in France.

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Published on  October 20, 2017
Updated on  January 22, 2021