National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Back to Social Media

Social Media: Space Weather
#WeatherReady #SpaceWeather

 

Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Geomagnetic Storm Impact Scale

Facebook
Space weather is a two-sided coin: it creates beautiful auroras, but it can also jeopardize the technologies we rely on daily. See all the impacts of space weather at weather.gov/space.

Twitter
#SpaceWeather creates beautiful auroras, but can also jeopardize technologies that we rely on daily. See the impacts at weather.gov/space.

The Geomagnetic Storm Impact Scale.
G1 - Minor: Weak power grid fluctuations and minor impacts on satellites are possible. Migratory animals are affected at this and higher levels. Aurora is commonly visible at high latitudes.
G2 - Moderate: Transformer damage is possible with long duration storms. Corrective actions to spacecraft orientation may be required; may affect orbit predictions. Aurora may be seen as low as New York and Idaho.
G3 - Strong: Power system voltage corrections may be required. Satellite and LF radio navigation problems may occur. HF radio may be interrupted. Aurora may be seen as low as Illinois & Oregon.
G4 - Severe: Possible widespread voltage control problems on the power grid. HF radio sporadic, satellite navigation degraded for hours, LF radio navigation issues. Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California.
G5 - Extreme: Blackouts or complete collapse of power grids possible. Navigation systems may be out for hours or days. Aurora may be seen as low as Florida and southern Texas.

+Alt text

 

Space Weather: What Are the Impacts? (Video)

Facebook
In 1989, a powerful storm triggered a major power blackout in Canada that left 6 million people without electricity for 9 hours. That storm came from space. Watch this video to learn about the impacts of space weather - https://youtu.be/gN3aP6Vr6H8

Twitter
In 1989, a powerful storm triggered a major power blackout in Canada that left 6 million people without electricity for 9 hours. That storm came from space. Watch this video to learn about the impacts of #spaceweather - https://youtu.be/gN3aP6Vr6H8

 

Aurora Colors

Facebook
While the aurora borealis is usually green, why does it sometimes appear to be a range of other colors, including red, blue, pink, and purple? Find out here: pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/polar/telecons/archive/PR_E-PO/Aurora_flyer/aurora-flyer_p2.doc.pdf

Twitter
Red, Green, Blue? Why does the Aurora change colors? Find out here: pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/polar/telecons/archive/PR_E-PO/Aurora_flyer/aurora-flyer_p2.doc.pdf #SpaceWeather

Why does the aurora change colors? The aurora is usually green, but it can be other colors too. The color is determined by the altitude of the aurora. Atmospheric compounds influence the color.

+Alt text

 

Impacts on Communications

Facebook
Just like weather on earth can affect communications systems, space weather storms can also interrupt radio and satellite communication technologies. To learn about space weather impacts, visit swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/hf-radio-communications and swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/satellite-communications

Twitter
Just like weather on earth can affect communications systems, space weather storms can also interrupt radio and satellite communication technologies. Visit swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/hf-radio-communications and swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/satellite-communications #spaceweather

Space weather can interrupt communications: aviation, emergency response, radio and satellite communications.

+Alt text

 

Power Grid

Facebook
Did you know that space weather can actually cause power outages? How is this possible? Find out more about space weather impacts at swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/electric-power-transmission.

Twitter
Did you know that space weather can actually cause power outages? Find out more at swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/electric-power-transmission #SpaceWeather

Space weather can affect the power grid. Learn more at www.swpc.noaa.gov/impacts

+Alt text

 

Aurora Borealis

Facebook
When electrons collide with the Earth’s upper atmosphere, they produce one of the most stunning visual displays to grace the night sky: the Northern Lights, otherwise known as Aurora Borealis. This incredible phenomenon can be observed in dark and clear areas of North America, Asia, and Europe. To learn more about auroras and other space weather phenomena, visit swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/aurora.

Twitter
When electrons collide with the Earth’s upper atmosphere, they produce one of the most stunning visual displays to grace the night sky: the Northern Lights, otherwise known as Aurora Borealis. Check out swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/aurora to learn more. #SpaceWeather

Space weather can be beautiful. The scientific name for northern lights is Aurora Borealis.

+Alt text

 

Solar Flares

Facebook
The Sun’s warm rays aren’t the only things that can reach Earth from outer space. Solar flares, which are huge explosions of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, have emissions that travel at the speed of light. These flares can reach Earth in under ten minutes and have the potential to cause radio blackouts. To learn about radio blackouts, visit swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-flares-radio-blackouts.

Twitter
The Sun’s warm rays aren’t the only things that can reach Earth from outer space. Solar flares are energetic explosions from the Sun that can cause radio blackouts. See swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-flares-radio-blackouts for more info. #SpaceWeather

What Are Solar Flares? They are huge explosions of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. They can cause blackouts on the sunlit side of the Earth.

+Alt text

 

Coronal Mass Ejections

Facebook
Traveling with a billion tons of material at speeds that can reach millions of miles per hour, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are explosive eruptions of plasma from the Sun’s outer atmosphere. When a CME arrives on Earth, it can cause a geomagnetic storm, otherwise known as a solar storm. Learn more here: swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/coronal-mass-ejections.

Twitter
Clouds of plasma that erupt from the Sun are called Coronal Mass Ejections, and they have the potential to cause intense solar storms. Learn more at swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/coronal-mass-ejections #SpaceWeather

What are coronal mass ejections? Explosive eruptions of plasma from the Sun's outer atmosphere. Transports roughly a billion tons of material outward from the Sun. Travels at speeds of millions of miles per hour.

+Alt text

 

GPS

Facebook
Did you know that space weather can impact GPS reception and reliability? Learn more about space weather impacts on GPS at swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/space-weather-and-gps-systems.

Twitter
Did you know that space weather can impact GPS reception and reliability? swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/space-weather-and-gps-systems #SpaceWeather

Space Weather can impact GPS, which affects shipping, public works, surveying, and more.

+Alt text

 

Geomagnetic Storm Impacts

Facebook
When a Geomagnetic Storm is happening, use this handy chart to find out what it will impact: swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Twitter
When a Geomagnetic Storm is happening, what will it impact? Find out here: swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation #SpaceWeather

What is impacted by a geomagnetic storm? Power systems, spacecraft operation, satellite navigation, high frequency radio.

+Alt text

 

Solar Storm Impacts

Facebook
When a Solar Radiation Storm is happening, use this handy chart to find out what it will impact. swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Twitter
When a Solar Radiation Storm is happening, what will it impact? swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation #SpaceWeather

What are the impacts of a solar radiation storm? Radio interference, satellite operations, and radiation risk for those in space or high-flying aircraft.

+Alt text

 

Radio Blackout Impacts

Facebook
When a Radio Blackout is happening due to space weather, use this handy chart to find out what it will impact: swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Twitter
When a Radio Blackout is happening due to space weather, what will it impact? Find out here: swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation #SpaceWeather

What are the impacts of a radio blackout? Satellite navigation errors. Maritime and aviation navigation errors. High frequency radio degradation or blackout.

+Alt text

 

Space Weather Infographic

Facebook
Space weather is a two-sided coin: it creates beautiful auroras, but it can also jeopardize the technologies we rely on daily. See all the impacts of space weather at weather.gov/space.

Twitter
#SpaceWeather creates beautiful auroras, but can also jeopardize technologies that we rely on daily. See the impacts at weather.gov/space.

Space weather impacts: Aurora (northern lights). GPS. Satellites. Communications. Human space exploration. Aviation. Electric Power.

+Alt text