It's been a crazy week on social media, so hello to all my new followers! I'm a Sun scientist researching solar flares, and value the importance of communicating the facts (and combating the fiction) of that science to the world. My first book, The Sun, was published last year ☀️

At risk of offending my aurora chasing friends, I strongly believe that off-limb solar flares are far superior to flares at Sun-centre! ☀️

President Trump is right. To stay ahead in the global AI race, America needs a unified federal framework. One that promotes innovation without overbearing regulation. A smart, cohesive national policy will ensure that American ingenuity leads the world in the age of A.I.

Movie is a composite of SDO/AIA broadband images, with red from 304 Å and white from 171 Å.

Physics in action: a truly mesmerising #SolarFlare on the Sun last night, from the same region that produced strong flares and triggered widespread aurora back in mid-November. The flare gives a hypnotic example of how plasma and magnetic fields interact in the Sun’s atmosphere.

https://t.co/5O9FjdZ1px

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The recent X-class solar flare is from the newly-visible region in the north east of the Sun, and not the larger region visible in to south east. Expect more large flares in the coming days!

An X-class #SolarFlare is current ongoing on the Sun, triggering a strong radio blackout here at Earth. #spaceweather

There’s a story going around about solar radiation causing a sudden drop in altitude on a Mexico-to-USA flight on October 30. A computer system on the aircraft apparently had an error which caused a nose down action without pilot input. But, is the root cause solar energetic

Caveat: I’m a Sun expert, not an aviation expert! These posts are to educate on solar energetic particles & single event upsets, in response to (but not verifying) Airbus’s claim. Solar activity was lower on the day, but there is a constant background level of bit flips!

This is what wallet hygiene looks like in meme form.

A busy active region on the Sun is currently rotating into Earth's view, producing two moderate solar flares as it arrives over the solar horizon. (This region was previously visible two weeks ago, where it produced a number of strong flares!) #spaceweather

To wrap up with a minor plug, my new book, 'Space Hazards', explores the effects of solar energetic particles, alongside other types of solar activity and risks from space. (8/8) https://t.co/stOYLrTwfy

It's important to remember that Earth is not isolated in space, but we are living with a star! It is important for us to dedicate resources to improving our understanding of our Sun, and to better predict its influences on the technology we rely on. (7/8)

In 2003, a candidate for a local election in Belgium received 4096 additional votes as an event of a single event upset. In 2008, a Qantas Airlines flight suddenly entered a ‘pitch-down’ manoeuvre at 38000 feet – similar to the story in the recent news, due to solar particles.

How Wispr flow closed 22 enterprise deals in 30 Days.

Flipping computer commands like this can cause many seemingly-random effects. Some are harmless and unnoticeable, but some can be serious. The influence on computer systems in this way is called a 'single event upset' or 'bit flip'. (5/8)

Our computer systems work via a myriad of components sending and receiving electrical signals. To a computer, there is no difference between intentional electrical signals (which are sent via electrons), and incoming electrons from the Sun/space. (4/8)

'Solar energetic particles' are an important part of space weather (the influence of the Sun on Earth), but receive significantly less attention than the two other types: solar flares (which cause radio blackouts) and coronal mass ejections (which cause solar/geomagnetic storms)

Solar energetic particles are high energy electrons and protons released by the Sun, primarily during solar flares. These particles travel very close to the speed of light, arriving to Earth just a few minutes after the solar flare is first detected. (Pictured as fuzzy dots here)

SHEIN: 7 facilities achieve TÜV Rheinland Zero Waste to Landfill certification. We are committed to reducing facility waste and keeping materials away from landfills through smart repurposing.

A big day for space weather, with the BBC reporting that a Mexico-to-USA flight in October experienced a 'sudden drop in altitude', likely caused by *solar energetic particles* from the Sun. Here is an explanation and some thoughts as a solar astrophysicist (a thread): 1/8

A pair of beautiful eruptions of filament plasma from the Sun’s north and south poles, happening near simultaneously. This movie, captured by GOES/SUVI, spans eight hours! #astronomy

As a scientist, this is always a great email to start off the week! New solar flare research coming soon. 💥☀️

Did you witness the recent aurora borealis? Learn more about this phenomena from @LASPatCU solar physicist Ryan French, who sheds light on the science behind the aurora and shares tips for the best firsthand experience. https://t.co/ThdXKShvym