Space Weather

A solar flare is a sudden and large explosion on the Sun characterized by the rapid release of energy, resulting in the emission of electromagnetic radiation across all wavelengths and a rapid increase in brightness on a portion of the Sun's surface. The sudden outburst of electromagnetic energy travels at the speed of light therefore any effect upon the sunlit side of Earth’s exposed outer atmosphere occurs at the same time the event is observed (NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, 2023). 

Solar energetic particle (SEP) events occur when a large-scale magnetic eruption, often accompanied by a coronal mass ejection and/or a related solar flare, accelerates charged particles in the solar atmosphere to significant fractions of the speed of light. The primary particles of interest are protons. SEP arrive with diverse fluxes and energies at different geographic locations (NOAA, 2023).

A geomagnetic disturbance refers to perturbations in Earth's magnetosphere caused by sudden and significant variations in the solar wind's speed, density, and magnetic properties. The intensity of a geomagnetic disturbance can be measured using different geomagnetic indexes. Although a geomagnetic disturbance is a global phenomenon, the intensities and characteristics vary at different geographic locations (NOAA, 2023).

Ionospheric disturbances refer to the state of the ionosphere characterized by irregular variations of ionospheric parameters without a systematic pattern. These disturbances can be of different spatiotemporal scales and have distinct characteristics at different geographic locations. Different ionospheric disturbances pose different risks to various applications (WMO, 1992).