Space Weather Researcher
Space Weather and Atmosphere team
The goal of the space weather and atmosphere team is to understand space weather and how it impacts critical infrastructures, including satellites and electrical power grids.
Our research informs government and the aerospace and insurance sectors, helping them mitigate the effects of severe space weather.
Team priorities
Our team’s work encompasses:
- research into three key space weather hazards
- polar experiments and computer modelling
- training PhD students
- participating in international programmes
- stakeholder and public engagement
Research
Our three major areas of research are:
Space radiation
We simulate and predict the natural hazard to satellites from changes in radiation levels in near-Earth space, and develop realistic worst-case scenarios.
Our research results are used to assess which satellite orbits are most at risk, to provide real-time radiation hazard forecasts for satellite operators, and to develop better mitigation guidelines.
Upper atmospheric heating
We measure, analyse, and simulate the short-term heating and upward expansion of the polar upper atmosphere due to electrical currents created by space weather. This process, known as Joule heating, is the largest uncertainty in predicting the orbit of satellites and space debris to avoid catastrophic collisions.
We also model changes in the upper atmosphere from the lower atmosphere, such as the long-term effect of increased levels of CO2 and its impact on satellites and space debris.
These results help improve satellite collision avoidance measures and the long-term sustainability of satellite services.
Geomagnetically induced currents
We measure and analyse the space weather causes of unwanted geomagnetically induced currents in electrical power grids.
Our results are used to improve real-time GIC forecasting in the UK and New Zealand and develop mitigation plans for electrical power grid operators.
Polar experiments
Our Space Weather Observatory uses a range of instruments in Antarctica and beyond to measure space weather and its impacts. Continuous long-term operations allow us to capture data on the rarest and most damaging space weather events.
Our data is made available to thousands of researchers worldwide through seven international instrument networks.
Computer models
We have developed the BAS Radiation Belt Model (BAS-RBM) to simulate and predict the space radiation environment for satellites. The model is equivalent to a general circulation model in atmospheric science; and was developed in-house from first-principles knowledge of charged particle and electromagnetic wave processes.

We also have expertise in the use of open-source models of the whole or upper atmosphere to simulate the effects of space weather and climate change on these regions and the resulting effects on satellite drag.
Training
We train the next generation of scientists via NERC’s doctoral training partnerships (DTP), such as Cambridge University’s Earth System Science and Southampton University’s INSPIRE programme.
We also run short-term undergraduate student projects with the University of Cambridge.
International programmes
Collaboration is core to BAS. The Space Weather and Atmosphere team lead or participates in numerous international scientific endeavours, such as:
- we set scientific priorities as Chairperson and one of the principal investigator groups in the international SuperDARN radar network.
- we represent the UK on the advisory bodies of EISCAT AB and support UK users to access the EISCAT radar facility in Northern Scandinavia.
- we play a leading role in the International Association of Geophysics and Aeronomy (IAGA), and the VLF/ELF Remote Sensing of the Ionosphere and Magnetosphere (VERSIM).
Stakeholder and public engagement
We advise government departments, such as the Cabinet Office, through our leadership of the Space Environment Impacts Expert Group (SEIEG).
We play an active role in STEM education for schools and the public.
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Atmospheric Physicist IMP 3
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Independent Research Fellow
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Science Leader
BAS Science Strategy Executive Group, Space Weather and Atmosphere team
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Radiation Belt Modeller
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Science Leader IMP 1
BAS Science Strategy Executive Group, Space Weather and Atmosphere team, BAS Executive team
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Middle Atmosphere Vertical Coupling Analys
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Space Weather Research Scientist
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Radiation Belt Modeller
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Radiation Belt Scientist 4
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Space Weather Scientist
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Space Weather Scientist
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Space Weather Analyst
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Post Doctoral Researcher Ionospheric Scientist
Space Weather and Atmosphere team, Atmosphere, Ice and Climate team
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PDRA/Assessing Ionospheric Variability
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Extreme Space Weather
Read more of: Extreme Space WeatherConcern at government level in the UK is such that severe space weather was added to the UK’s National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies.
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Thermospheric Heating Modes and Effects on Satellites (THeMES)
Read more of: Thermospheric Heating Modes and Effects on Satellites (THeMES)Using meteorological statistical techniques, THeMES aimed to improve satellite trajectory predictions and identify which orbital paths face the greatest risk from space weather disturbances.
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Rad-Sat
Read more of: Rad-SatRad-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.
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SuperDARN
Read more of: SuperDARNThe Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) has been operating as an international co-operative organisation for over 25 years, and has proved to be one of the most successful tools for studying dynamical processes in the Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere, and neutral atmosphere.
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IMAGE Auroral Boundary Data
Read more of: IMAGE Auroral Boundary DataThe objective of this project was to investigate whether magnetic reconnection in the space environment has a characteristic scale in space and time by characterising statistically the spatial and temporal structure of the footprint of reconnection as observed in the Earth’s ionosphere.
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The Global Electric Circuit
Read more of: The Global Electric CircuitQuantifying the Effect of the Upper Atmospheric Electric Potential on Lower Atmospheric Temperature and Pressure.
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Low Power Magnetometer (LPM) Network
Read more of: Low Power Magnetometer (LPM) NetworkAccess data from the Low Power Magnetometer (LPM) network
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Arctic atmosphere and space weather research facilities
Read more of: Arctic atmosphere and space weather research facilitiesThe UK EISCAT support group (UKESG) is a collaboration between the British Antarctic Survey and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, funded via the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS).
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Electron Acceleration in the Radiation Belts of Earth, Jupiter & Saturn
Read more of: Electron Acceleration in the Radiation Belts of Earth, Jupiter & SaturnThis 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.
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The effects of long-term changes in the Earth’s magnetic field
Read more of: The effects of long-term changes in the Earth’s magnetic fieldThe effects of long-term changes in the Earths magnetic field on the atmosphere understanding the past predicting the future.
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A High-Order Model of the Earth’s External and Induced Magnetic Field
Read more of: A High-Order Model of the Earth’s External and Induced Magnetic FieldFor centuries people have used magnetic compasses to guide them on their way and explore new territories. This has led scientists to embark on their own journeys of discovery about […]
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Measuring space weather for climate models
Read more of: Measuring space weather for climate modelsThe objective of QEPPA is to work out the amount of charged particles that hit our atmosphere during space weather events in order to improve how our models represent this effect on our atmosphere and climate.
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SPACESTORM
Read more of: SPACESTORMSPACESTORM is a collaborative project to model space weather events and find ways to mitigate their effects on satellites.
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Whole Atmosphere Climate Change
Read more of: Whole Atmosphere Climate ChangeWhole Atmosphere Climate Change project investigated how human-driven climate change in the lower atmosphere affects upper atmosphere conditions up to 500 km altitude.
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Space Weather Impact on Ground-based Systems (SWIGS)
Read more of: Space Weather Impact on Ground-based Systems (SWIGS)SWIGS investigated how space weather drives geomagnetically induced currents in power grids, pipelines, and railways.
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Decoding Ionospheric Dynamics
Read more of: Decoding Ionospheric DynamicsDRIIVE researches how polar ionosphere changes affect satellite orbits, communications, and space weather forecasts.
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Sat Risk
Read more of: Sat RiskThe 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‘.
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Simulating how space weather events threaten satellites
Read more of: Simulating how space weather events threaten satellitesIn 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.
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Radiation Belt Data Assimilation (Radbelt-DA)
Read more of: Radiation Belt Data Assimilation (Radbelt-DA)RADBELT-DA applies data assimilation techniques to improve radiation belt forecasts to protect satellites from space weather damage and service disruption.
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PlanetBelt3
Read more of: PlanetBelt3PlanetBelt3 will be looking at the radiation belts of Saturn in this project, to include important newly recognised transport processes.
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‘Sounds of Space’
Read more of: ‘Sounds of Space’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.
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Atmospheric warming impacts on satellite debris
Read more of: Atmospheric warming impacts on satellite debrisJoule Heating investigated how space weather affects the upper atmosphere’s ability to slow down orbiting satellite debris.
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Space weather risk modelling
Read more of: Space weather risk modellingSWIMMR-T generated accurate and actionable nowcasts and forecasts of the thermosphere to reduced uncertainty estimates of the orbital characteristics of satellites and debris.
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Space Weather Service Network (SWESNET)
Read more of: Space Weather Service Network (SWESNET)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.
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Electromagnetic wave effects on radiation belts
Read more of: Electromagnetic wave effects on radiation beltsPADIE (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.
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Tracing electromagnetic waves
Read more of: Tracing electromagnetic wavesHOTRAY 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.
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BAS-RBM
Read more of: BAS-RBMBAS-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.
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Dr Nigel Meredith awarded 2025 Chapman Medal for plasma wave research
Read more of: Dr Nigel Meredith awarded 2025 Chapman Medal for plasma wave researchThe Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has awarded the 2025 Chapman Medal to Dr Nigel Meredith for his world leading and transformative research on plasma waves in magnetospheric physics.
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Sounds of Antarctica come to life in new album
Read more of: Sounds of Antarctica come to life in new albumToday marks the release of The Seventh Continent, a new album from the international Sounds of Space Project that offers a unique aural journey to Antarctica.
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Rocket launch discovers long-sought global electric field on Earth
Read more of: Rocket launch discovers long-sought global electric field on EarthAn international team of scientists, including a researcher from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has, for the first time, successfully measured a planet-wide electric field thought to be as fundamental to Earth as its gravity and magnetic fields.
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Scientists set out benchmarks for extreme space weather
Read more of: Scientists set out benchmarks for extreme space weatherExtreme 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 […]
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Geomagnetic storm sounds inspire new album
Read more of: Geomagnetic storm sounds inspire new albumA new album inspired by the sounds of radio waves produced by a geomagnetic storm has been released. St Swithin’s Day Storm is a collaboration with Steven Anderson, known as […]
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‘Sounds’ of the sun inspire an extraordinary new album
Read more of: ‘Sounds’ of the sun inspire an extraordinary new albumA new album transporting listeners on a journey to the Sun and inspired by ‘sounds’ captured in space and on the ground shows the magic created when science and the […]
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Climate change to increase lifetime of space pollution
Read more of: Climate change to increase lifetime of space pollutionSatellites face greater chances of collision with space debris as a result of reduced density in the upper atmosphere. Increasing levels of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere will result in […]
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Antarctica as testing site ahead of mission to icy moons
Read more of: Antarctica as testing site ahead of mission to icy moonsScientists have deployed a network of seismometers onto Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf in an experiment that will test the instrument’s ability to operate on icy moons in the Solar System. […]
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BAS scientist awarded Gold Medal by Royal Astronomical Society
Read more of: BAS scientist awarded Gold Medal by Royal Astronomical SocietyThe 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. […]
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Grant to understand future impacts on atmospheric prediction
Read more of: Grant to understand future impacts on atmospheric predictionA new project to improve scientists understanding of the impact of space weather and climate change on the atmosphere starts this month (January 2022). A team from British Antarctic Survey, […]
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Antarctica experiences rare total solar eclipse
Read more of: Antarctica experiences rare total solar eclipseA rare total solar eclipse in Antarctica this weekend (Saturday 4 December) is giving researchers a unique opportunity to learn more about how solar eclipses affect space weather. The next […]
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Mystery of what causes Jupiter’s X-ray auroras is solved
Read more of: Mystery of what causes Jupiter’s X-ray auroras is solvedThe 40-year-old mystery of what causes Jupiter’s X-ray auroras has been solved. For the first time, scientists have seen the entire mechanism at work – and it could be a […]
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‘Sounds of space’ feature in album Celestial Incantations
Read more of: ‘Sounds of space’ feature in album Celestial IncantationsCelestial Incantations – New album release from Sounds of Space Project New album Celestial Incantations is released today by the international Sounds of Space Project, comprising of Dr Nigel Meredith […]
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BAS staff recognised with Royal Society Fellowships
Read more of: BAS staff recognised with Royal Society FellowshipsWe 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, […]
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Medal win for space weather scientist
Read more of: Medal win for space weather scientistThe award recognises Professor Horne’s unique ability to combine basic and applied research to develop useful space weather products.
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Space weather monitoring receives funding boost
Read more of: Space weather monitoring receives funding boostSpace 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. […]
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New album Aurora Musicalis brings the ‘sounds of space’ to the public
Read more of: New album Aurora Musicalis brings the ‘sounds of space’ to the publicA new album with the unique ‘sounds of space’ recorded from Antarctica is released free today (6 May 2020). Aurora Musicalis contains the natural radio ‘sounds’ of our planet, recorded […]
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Appleton Prize awarded to Professor Richard Horne
Read more of: Appleton Prize awarded to Professor Richard HorneBritish 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 […]
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Space weather ‘super storms’ occurred every 25 years
Read more of: Space weather ‘super storms’ occurred every 25 yearsA ‘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 […]
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Space weather study wins accolade
Read more of: Space weather study wins accoladeA 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 […]
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Funding boost for space weather research
Read more of: Funding boost for space weather researchSpace 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 […]
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Space weather causes radiation damage to satellites
Read more of: Space weather causes radiation damage to satellitesThe 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 […]
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Scientist awarded prestigious award
Read more of: Scientist awarded prestigious awardBritish Antarctic Survey space weather scientist, Dr Mark Clilverd, has been awarded a prestigious award from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in their 2019 Awards. The award recognises Mark as […]
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‘Sounds of Space’ from Antarctica feature in space simulation game
Read more of: ‘Sounds of Space’ from Antarctica feature in space simulation gameAmazing, natural, ‘sounds of space’, have been incorporated into the new exploration gameplay in Elite Dangerous
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A new way to create Saturn’s radiation belts
Read more of: A new way to create Saturn’s radiation beltsA 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 […]
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Satellites more at risk from fast solar wind than a major space storm
Read more of: Satellites more at risk from fast solar wind than a major space stormSatellites 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 […]
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Million fold increase in the power of waves near Jupiter’s moon Ganymede
Read more of: Million fold increase in the power of waves near Jupiter’s moon GanymedeUnderstanding of how Jupiter’s magnetic field interacts with its moons and with intense particle radiation.
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Most advanced space weather radar to be built in Arctic
Read more of: Most advanced space weather radar to be built in ArcticThe most advanced space weather radar in the world is to be built in the Arctic by an international partnership including the UK, thanks to new investment, including in the […]
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New study reveals potential cost of solar storms
Read more of: New study reveals potential cost of solar stormsThe 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. […]
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Royal Astronomical Society honours BAS scientist
Read more of: Royal Astronomical Society honours BAS scientistDr Mervyn Freeman, Senior Space Weather Researcher at British Antarctic Survey, has been awarded the prestigious Chapman Medal in Geophysics by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). The medal recognises his […]
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FEATURED PAPER: Energetic Electron Hazard
Read more of: FEATURED PAPER: Energetic Electron HazardEnergetic 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 […]
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PRESS RELEASE: New season – ambitious science
Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: New season – ambitious scienceNew season tackles ambitious science and logistical challenges The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) 2015/16 field season is underway with dozens of scientists and support staff – together with planes and tonnes […]
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NEWS STORY: Space weather features at free event
Read more of: NEWS STORY: Space weather features at free eventFREE event: ‘Discover Antarctica’ at British Geological Survey Open Day, Saturday 27 June, 10am-4pm Staff from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will showcase its work at this year’s British Geological Survey […]
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NEWS STORY: NERC placement offered
Read more of: NEWS STORY: NERC placement offeredNERC Research Experience Placement 2015 A Research Experience Placement supported by EnvEast DTP and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is available at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) this […]
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NEWS STORY: Lessons from electrons
Read more of: NEWS STORY: Lessons from electronsStudy of electrons in space could help weather forecasting Researchers have discovered a formerly undetected impact of space weather on the polar atmosphere, which may explain some previously unexplained variations […]
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NEWS STORY: Changes in upper atmosphere
Read more of: NEWS STORY: Changes in upper atmosphereEarth’s magnetic field is important for climate change at high altitudes New research, published this week, has provided scientists with greater insight into the climatic changes happening in the upper […]
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NEWS STORY: Improving space weather forecasting
Read more of: NEWS STORY: Improving space weather forecastingSpace 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. […]
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NEWS STORY: BAS involved in NASA mission
Read more of: NEWS STORY: BAS involved in NASA missionBritish 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 […]
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PRESS RELEASE: Space weather forecasting
Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: Space weather forecastingMajor 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 […]
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PRESS RELEASE: New research sheds light on Aurora
Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: New research sheds light on AuroraNew 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 […]
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Read, read, read and new ideas will come to you
Read more of: Read, read, read and new ideas will come to youWe 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 […]
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ANTARCTIC BLOG: BBC arrives at Halley #3
Read more of: ANTARCTIC BLOG: BBC arrives at Halley #3“I feel like I’m home” says BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs as he sets foot on the Brunt Ice Shelf. It’s an emotional moment for him; the last time he […]