Auroras, Sunspots, and Space Weather | WHAT are they and WHY does it happen?

On this episode, we're recapping last weeks Aurora Extravoganza that the internet was a buzz about! We got pictures from folks like you that whole weekend, which was all we needed to survive a weekend of cloud-filled New England nights. But one thing many curious folks were thinking - what are Auroras? How can we know when the next one is coming? Why do Auroras happen? What impacts do solar weather pose to planets, spacecraft, and humans in space? ALL of these answered on this week's episode.  Thank you to everyone who reached out with questions - and shoutout to Anne Bagg (@theannebagg on X/@annebagg on Instagram) for sending her question about predicting Auroras! Let us know if you captured the Auroras - we'd love to share your astrophotography! Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com or DM us @todayinspacepod on Instagram & Today In Space podcast page on Facebook. Topics from the episode: space, sun, atmosphere, happening, aurora, earth, weather, solar, noaa, particles, mars, sunspot, solar storm, coronal holes, energetic particles, energy, magnetosphere SOURCES: Question from #Veefam @theannebagg on X https://x.com/theannebagg/status/1790576203176591784?s=46&t=CTA3xJCHFoY9hV9qgrj4Jw https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_objects_at_Lagrange_points https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_(spacecraft) https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-jupiter-aurora-images https://science.nasa.gov/missions/hubble/saturns-auroras/ https://www.astronomy.com/science/aurorae-throughout-our-solar-system-and-beyond/ The 'Topics from the episode' above and the timestamps below for the episode were generated using AI (otter.ai) by processing the audio file. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction  01:07 Auroras, solar flares, and space weather prediction. 04:52 Predicting solar storms and their impact on Earth's atmosphere 10:02 Space weather, Mars Atmosphere, and protecting astronauts from radiation. ----------------- Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)! Spread Love, Spread Science Alex G. Orphanos We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing Follow us: @todayinspacepod on Instagram/Twitter @todayinspace on TikTok /TodayInSpacePodcast on Facebook  Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net #space #rocket #podcast #people #spacex #moon #science #3dprinting #nasa #tothemoon #spacetravel #spaceexploration #solarsystem #spacecraft #technology #vaonis #vespera #hestia #telescope #aerospace #spacetechnology #engineer #stem #artemis #lunar #totalsolareclipse #aurora #auroraborealis #magnetosphere #spaceweather