Math & Physics Podcast Episode #122 - What's the Weather in Space? w/ Jose Arnal
Oct 18, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Jose Arnal, a Senior PhD student at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, shares insights into space weather and the complexities of solar dynamics. He unpacks the fascinating effects of coronal mass ejections on Earth and their connection to the aurora borealis. Jose also dives into advanced data assimilation techniques used to improve space weather forecasting, exploring the integration of machine learning with traditional methods. Prepare for a journey through the magnetic dances of the cosmos!
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Space Weather and Fluids
- Space, often perceived as a vacuum, contains fluids like plasma, whose behavior affects our technology.
- The sun emits charged particles (solar wind) impacting Earth's infrastructure and magnetic field.
Earth's Magnetic Shield
- Earth's magnetic field, though smaller than the sun's, protects our atmosphere from being blown away by solar wind.
- The sun's magnetic field significantly influences Earth's, leading to geomagnetic events.
Solar Wind Components
- Solar wind consists of ions, electrons, and their movement (velocity) through space, also carrying a magnetic field.
- The magnetic field is "frozen" into the plasma, meaning it's transported with the matter.