The Science of Heliophysics

    Artist concept of space weather showing an active Sun with flares and a CME in the upper left, the Earth in the lower right with types of technology affected by space weather to the lower left; satellites, airplanes, the ISS and ground-based electrical lines. › View larger The science of Heliophysics is divided into five separate disciplines, or fields of study:
    • Solar Physics
    • Near-Earth Space
    • Magnetospheric
    • Heliospheric
    • Spaceweather
    The disciplines are independent and yet overlapping, as one cannot be studied without knowledge of the other(s).
    Within each discipline, the research can be broken down even further into sub-fields. Below, under each discipline, are some of the sub-fields being researched.

Heliophysics Disciplines

Solar Physics
The active Sun.
  • Layers of the Sun
  • Solar Cycle
  • Solar Events
    •  
     
 Near Earth Space
The upper-most layers of Earth's atmosphere are referred to as Near-Earth Space and are influenced by spaceweather.
  • Layers of the Atmosphere
  • The Ionosphere
  • Aurora
    •  
     
Magnetospheric Science
Earth's magnetic field is called the magnetosphere.
  • Elements of the Magnetosphere
  • Radiation Belts
  • Plasmashere
  • Ring Current
  • Reconnection
Heliospheric Science
The influence of the Sun is called the Heliosphere.
  • Regions of the Heliosphere
    •  
Space Weather
Spaceweather is generated from the Sun and travels outward in all directions.
  • Types of Spaceweather
  • Effects of Spaceweather
  

Heliophysics Science Slideshow

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