Space Environment Impacts Expert Group (SEIEG)
SEIEG is an independent committee of experts that provide support and advice to the UK Met Office and government departments.
Professor Richard Horne FRS ia a distinguished research scientist (IMP1) at the British Antarctic Survey and Honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield. He has published over 200 research papers on wave-particle interactions, wave propagation and space weather. His most important work was to show that plasma waves accelerate electrons up to speeds close to the speed of light and play a major role in forming the radiation belts that surround the Earth in space. He led the EU SPACECAST project to develop a space weather forecasting system for satellites, and the EU SPACESTORM project which showed that the risk to satellites from space weather is much higher than previously thought. Richard’s work led to revised hazard assessments for the UK National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies in 2017 and 2020. He is Chair of the Space Environment Impacts Expert Group which provides advice on space weather to the UK Cabinet Office.
Richard was awarded the NERC Economic Impact Award in 2023, Gold Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society in 2022, the International Kristian Birkeland Medal for Space Weather and Space Climate in 2020, the URSI Appleton Prize for research leading to practical space weather forecasting in 2020, and a Doctor of Science from the University of Cambridge for distinguished research in 2020.
Richard was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 2021. He is also a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the International Union of Radio Science, The Royal Astronomical Society and St Edmund’s College Cambridge.
Awards
My main research interests are in wave-particle interactions, wave propagation and space weather. I study how wave-particle interactions lead to the transport, acceleration and loss of high energy charged particles trapped in the external magnetic field of the Earth and planets. My current work is to lead the development of better systems to forecast radiation exposure to satellites during magnetic storms and other space weather events. I am also working on hazard risk assessments of the impact of severe space weather on the growing number of satellites in orbit.
Richard B. Horne ORCID = 0000-0002-0412-6407
Richard has published over 200 papers in peer reviewed journals and has more than 15,000 citations and a Thomson h-index of 72.
Meredith, N., Cayton, T., & Cayton, M. (2024). Strong relativistic electron flux events in GPS orbit (2000 – 2020) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/dd8dee98-b75e-4b2f-a002-3f00bcc29d35
Glauert, S., & Ross, J. (2024). Pitch angle distributions, loss timescales and diffusion coefficients for the Earth’s radiation belts (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/6d20ed7b-59e1-4284-a6f2-3e2589da6d2a
Lam, P., Horne, R., Meredith, N., Glauert, S., & Kirsch, P. (2024). Charging Currents and Electric Fields of Satellite Cables during a reasonable worst case scenario (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/3948ce45-3430-468d-8e99-22d4d6c0a8c5
Daggitt, T., Horne, R., Glauert, S., & Del Zanna, G. (2024). BAS-RBM simulations of ultra-relativistic electron acceleration in Earth’s radiation belts using a coupled plasma density model (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/ea37228a-5b4d-4db2-8d97-53fff2c43f3f
Wong, J. (2023). New Chorus Diffusion Coefficients for Radiation Belt Modelling (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/fa63faf5-10d6-4c72-8b19-d41941f06812
Meredith, N., Cayton, T., & Cayton, M. (2023). Extreme relativistic electron fluxes in GPS orbit: Analysis of NS41 Burst Detector Dosimeter IIR (BDD-IIR) data (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/30bba6e1-de1e-4ef9-97a6-d64e9eaca820
Daggitt, T., Horne, R., Glauert, S., Del Zanna, G., & Albert, J. (2023). Evidence of strong diffusion of radiation belt electrons in satellite data, and numerical simulations of strong diffusion using the BAS-RBM 2D. (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/c7db6003-1f72-4e69-b0b4-ec4b0aa4763c
Daggitt, T. (2022). TS05 and TS07 external magnetic field model L*, LCDS and B field data for the GOES-13, GOES-15 and HIMAWARI-8 satellites for three geomagnetic storm periods (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/346ce427-6663-45e6-b706-285bb79e41ce
Wong, J. (2022). Electron Diffusion by Magnetosonic Waves in the Earth’s Radiation Belts (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/aae6ea2f-7dab-4ab1-830f-a4c53589e340
Ross, J. (2022). Electromagnetic ion cyclotron electron diffusion coefficients calculated using Van Allen Probe EMFISIS data for a range of ion compositions (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/2ba39ec4-c89e-4091-bdf9-e40491ec92a5
Woodfield, E., Glauert, S., Menietti, J., Horne, R., Kavanagh, A., & Shprits, Y. (2022). Acceleration of electrons by whistler-mode hiss waves at Saturn (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/c6202511-d70b-45ae-9b72-ff30f4888f5f
Glauert, S., Heynderickx, D., Kirsch, P., & Horne, R. (2021). The Satellite Risk Prediction and Radiation Forecast System (SaRIF) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/bebfd99e-f2e3-46f0-9833-f59efb40be37
Meredith, N., Li, W., & Shen, X. (2021). Statistical investigation of the frequency dependence of the chorus source mechanism of plasmaspheric hiss (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/151a855f-d030-485b-a2dd-4ea874e59bf6
Lozinski, A., Horne, R., Glauert, S., Del Zanna, G., & Claudepierre, S. (2021). Solutions to BAS-PRO model runs for Modelling 1-10MeV Proton Phase Space Density (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/27a89a5f-ca5d-471a-a0e7-060d0911b2d1
Ross, J., & Glauert, S. (2021). Electron Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron diffusion coefficients calculated from Van Allen Probe observations (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/cc48c65d-5395-45a1-a60a-3a4b987fd673
Meredith, N., Horne, R., Li, W., Shen, X., & Bortnik, J. (2020). Global model of Whistler Mode Chorus in the Near-Equatorial Region (|λ|m<18o) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://data.bas.ac.uk/full-record.php?id=GB/NERC/BAS/PDC/01315
Ross, J., & Meredith, N. (2020). Electromagnetic ion cyclotron electron diffusion coefficients calculated from CRRES data using a new approach (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/be8af49f-cdf1-443a-9c78-6a59c9d5be68
Woodfield, E., Glauert, S., Menietti, J., Averkamp, T., Horne, R., & Shprits, Y. (2019). Rapid electron acceleration in low density regions of Saturn’s radiation belt by whistler mode chorus waves (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/ae5116a5-fc16-464c-9c26-e395f897a8e4
Meredith, N., Horne, R., Clilverd, M., & Ross, J. (2019). Global models of the VLF transmitter wave power in the inner radiation belt and slot region (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/395408f5-0f0e-43b3-83c8-dfa719a1bb87
Ross, J., Meredith, N., Glauert, S., Horne, R., & Clilverd, M. (2019). Effects of VLF transmitter waves on the inner belt and slot region (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/93ff55bf-7415-44c8-8e3d-7e2f5c5ffd6d
Horne, R. (2018). Data supporting the evaluation if a worst case for a severe space weather event driven by a fast solar wind stream (Version 1.0) [Data set]. Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/d901af69-7e44-470b-8967-e6ae760733c6
SEIEG is an independent committee of experts that provide support and advice to the UK Met Office and government departments.
PRESCIENT supports long-term, strategically important measurements and capabilities for the wider science community.
PADIE (Pitch-Angle Diffusion of Ions and Electrons) is a computational model developed at BAS that calculates how electromagnetic waves affect charged particles in radiation belts.
HOTRAY is a ray tracing computer code designed to trace the path of electromagnetic waves in a hot magnetised plasma. HOTRAY has been used to understand the generation and propagation of plasma waves at the Earth, Jupiter, Saturn and laboratory plasmas.
BAS-RBM simulates changes in the high-energy electrons trapped around Earth to help protect satellites, improve forecasting of space weather, and understand radiation belts at Jupiter and Saturn.
SWESNET from British Antarctic Survey provides a forecast of high energy electrons in the Earth’s radiation belts which can cause damage to satellites on orbit. These forecasts are used by satellite operators to take mitigating action.
RADBELT-DA applies data assimilation techniques to improve radiation belt forecasts to protect satellites from space weather damage and service disruption.
In the SORBS project we are studying how changes in the outer boundary of the geomagnetic field lead to rapid changes in the radiation belts closer to Earth.
The Sat-Risk project, led by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has the goal of ‘developing a real-time system to forecast radiation exposure to satellites for a range of different orbits, and quantify the risk of damage or degradation‘.
Sounds of Space uses a Very Low Frequency receiver to pick up radio waves made by our planet and investigate the science of space weather storms, to help understand potential space weather impacts on the climate system, and for lightning detection.
Concern at government level in the UK is such that severe space weather was added to the UK’s National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies.
Rad-Sat is a NERC Highlight Topic that brings together a consortium of scientists from 5 different UK research groups, stakeholders from the space industry and a network of international collaborators.
This project explored the radiation belts of the Earth, Jupiter and Saturn to help set new research goals for future spacecraft missions to the planets and develop computer models that will be of direct use to the space insurance, satellite construction and satellite service industries.
SPACESTORM is a collaborative project to model space weather events and find ways to mitigate their effects on satellites.
Research Grants
Richard was NERC lead on a £20 Million UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund grant (SWIMMR) that was announced by the Prime Minister in 2019 and has won more than £7 Million in grants over the last 10 years.
We speak to a British Antarctic Survey Scientist on becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society… Professor Richard Horne FRS is the former Head of Space Weather at the British […]
The shortlist has been announced for The Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) Impact Awards 2023. Four BAS projects have made the shortlist and commended list, ranging from biodiversity and ecology to space weather.
Extreme space weather threatens vital satellites orbiting the Earth, including the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) which pass through the heart of the outer radiation belt. New research led by […]
The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded the 2022 Gold Medal for Geophysics to Professor Richard B Horne for his outstanding contributions to our understanding of the physics underlying space weather. […]
We are delighted to announce that today (6 May 2021) Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey, and Professor Richard Horne, Head of Space Weather and Atmosphere team, […]
The award recognises Professor Horne’s unique ability to combine basic and applied research to develop useful space weather products.
Space weather research at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) receives a funding boost of around £2M today (Saturday 27 June) from the SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk) programme. […]
British Antarctic Survey is pleased to announce the Appleton Prize 2020 has been awarded to Professor Richard Horne, Head of the Space Weather and Atmosphere science team at British Antarctic […]
A ‘great’ space weather super-storm large enough to cause significant disruption to our electronic and networked systems occurred on average once in every 25 years. The results are published today […]
A team of international researchers, including Professor Richard Horne from British Antarctic Survey, has been awarded best research study from the journal Risk Analysis for 2019. The study, led by […]
Space weather research gets a boost this week with a £20m fund announced by the UK Prime Minister. Space weather, such as flares or winds from the Sun’s surface or […]
The use of electric propulsion for raising satellites into geostationary orbit can result in significant solar cell degradation according to a new study. The extended journey results in greater exposure […]
A team of international scientists from BAS, University of Iowa and GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences has discovered a new method to explain how radiation belts are formed around […]
Satellites are more likely to be at risk from high-speed solar wind than a major geomagnetic storm according to a new UK-US study published this week in the Journal Space […]
Understanding of how Jupiter’s magnetic field interacts with its moons and with intense particle radiation.
The daily U.S. economic cost from solar storm-induced electricity blackouts could total more than $40 billion, with more than half the loss occurring outside the blackout zone, says new study. […]
Energetic electrons are an important space weather hazard. In this paper we apply extreme value analysis to 16 years of operational satellite data from the NOAA Polar Operational Environmental Satellites […]
New risk index for satellite operators CAMBRIDGE, UK. Scientists, satellite operators, insurance industry and Government policy officials gather this week (7 February 2014) to discuss the latest advances in […]
Space weather forecasting system used by satellite operators Weather forecasting is a tricky enough job on Earth, but doing it for the outer atmosphere and beyond is even more problematic. […]
British Antarctic Survey scientists involved in NASA ‘space weather’ mission WASHINGTON — NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), the first twin-spacecraft mission designed to explore the Earth’s radiation belts, launched […]
British Antarctic Survey scientist Professor Richard Horne has been made a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). This title is only awarded once a year to one in a […]
Major EU-funded space weather initiative launched and managed in UK A major EU-funded initiative to improve ‘space weather’ forecasting will hold its inaugural meeting in the UK on Tuesday 29 […]
New space research settles years of scientific debate New space research published this week (Thursday 21 October) in the journal Nature, has settled decades of scientific debate. Researchers from the […]
7 September 2005 PR No. 13/2005 A breakthrough by a team of British, US and French scientists will help protect astronauts, spacecraft and satellites from radiation hazards experienced in space. Reporting […]
Awards
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