A Talk on ‘Space Weather and its effects on Earth’s Thermosphere’ by Dr Dr M V Sunil Krishna

ABOUT THE TALK
Space weather, driven by solar activity, significantly impacts the Earth’s thermosphere—a region extending roughly from 80 km to 600 km above Earth’s surface. Solar phenomena such as flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and high-speed solar wind streams interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, leading to variations in thermospheric density, temperature, and composition. These disturbances can cause changes in atmospheric drag, affecting satellite orbits and space operations, and influence radio signal propagation, critical for GPS and communication systems. Understanding space weather’s influence on the thermosphere is crucial for mitigating risks to spaceborne technologies and improving predictive models for navigation and communication systems.