Space Weather and Space Climate

The upper atmosphere and plasmasphere are part of a very complex system that is driven by the sun, the rotation of the earth, gravity and the earth’s magnetic field.

We indicate these processes with the terms ‘Space Climate’ and ‘Space Weather’. Space Climate describes the long term condition of the sun. Space Weather describes the short-term and sometimes spectacular deviations from the average. In popular speech the term Space Weather is often used to describe both weather and climate. 

The upper atmosphere, magnetosphere, and plasmasphere of the Earth are part of a complex and multi-layered system, that is driven by the sun, the rotation of the earth and its magnetic field. (Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Mary Pat Hrybyk-Keith).

For questions, please contact outreach@pithia-nrf.eu