SOLAR & SPACE PHYSICS

Northumbria is home to the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST). This £50million state-of-the-art building is a UK-wide space asset and trains the next generation of space-related engineers. Our Solar and Space Physics researchers work to understand the physics of the Sun, the solar-terrestrial connection, and all aspects of space physics. To better protect and utilise humanity’s use of space, we have a particular focus around space weather and satellite technology.

WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL PROCESSES UNDERPINNING THE SUN-EARTH CONNECTION?

Northumbria’s Solar and Space researchers work to understand the physics of the Sun and all aspects of the solar-terrestrial connection to improve space weather forecasting. We are also improving satellite technology - to better protect and utilise humanity’s use of space – including hosting a state-of-the-art Space Technology Laboratory, training the next-generation of space-related engineers and instrument teams.

The Sun is the powerhouse of our solar system and its daily variability can have profound consequences for Earth. Space Weather is the name given to the impact of events, like solar flares or coronal mass ejections from the Sun, on our technologically-advanced society. This impact can be both beautiful, like the Northern lights or potentially extremely detrimental such as damaging satellites or increasing radiation that is harmful to aircrew and astronauts.

Satellites are essential to modern life. Every time we use internet banking, use a smartphone to navigate, or fly, we are using satellite technology. Adverse space weather can directly impact our satellites and therefore our society. In order to understand and address the risks associated with space weather, we need to understand its origins and drivers. Space weather features on the UK National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies which has led to the creation of a dedicated Space Weather Operations Centre within the UK’s Met Office.

Space-related-instrument development drives forward the national capability of UK-based satellite communications and advances the camera-technology sector. This hardware and instrument development is of great benefit to the future of small-satellite missions. We already work with multiple space-related-hardware industrial partners via our UK Space Agency funded projects, e.g., Lockheed Martin and the Ministry of Defence for laser communications, e2E for space electronics, and EnduroSat for CubeSats. We have received over £15million in funding from the UK SpaceAgency and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).

OUR SPACE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

Our Solar and Space researchers demonstrate international leadership across advanced numerical modelling, mathematical theory, observations of solar and space plasma, data intensive science, and space-related hardware.

We collaborate extensively with partners including UKRI, the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the UK Met Office, and over 40 industrial partners.

To find out more about our research funding click here

ACADEMIC LEAD

Professor James McLaughlin