Space weather

Space weather describes conditions in space that can have an effect on Earth

These effects can include interruptions to radio communications and GPS, disruption of power grids, and damage to spacecraft. The impacts are caused by magnetic fields, radiation, particles and matter which have left the surface of the sun and interacted with the Earth's upper atmosphere and magnetic field.

The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) provides critical information to help build the resilience of UK infrastructure and impacted industries in the face of space weather events.

For space weather news and updates, follow us on Twitter at @MetOfficeSpace

Related pages

  • Observations from space: The techniques used in data collection from space including the use of geo-stationary and polar orbiting satellites.
  • L5 mission: Space weather was added to the National Risk Register in 2011. A spacecraft located in the L5 position would greatly increase space weather forecasting capabilities.

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