Conveners
CD9 - Communicating Science Through Aurora: Engaging the Public in Space Weather: Orals
- Lenka Zychova (BIRA-IASB)
- Christine Verbeke
- Laure Lefevre (Royal Observatory of Belgium)
Description
The aurora is one of the most captivating natural phenomena, serving as both a visual spectacle and a powerful tool for engaging the public in space weather science. Its beauty sparks curiosity, providing an accessible entry point for discussions on solar activity, geomagnetic storms, and their broader impacts on Earth. This session will explore how the aurora is used as a bridge between complex scientific concepts and public understanding.
We invite scientists, educators, and outreach professionals to share their projects, experiences, and strategies for using the aurora to communicate space weather. Topics may include innovative educational initiatives, public engagement programs, citizen science projects, and the role of artistic and cultural interpretations in science communication. How can we leverage the public’s fascination with the aurora to increase awareness of space weather’s relevance to modern society? What methods have been most effective in turning curiosity into deeper understanding? With Sweden offering frequent and spectacular auroral displays, this session provides a unique opportunity to discuss how this natural wonder can be used to inspire and educate diverse audiences. By exchanging ideas, we can strengthen our collective efforts to make space weather more accessible, inspiring, and impactful for diverse audiences.
It is 1 September 1859, in the morning. Carrington, a solar physicist sees a flash on the sun. A day later, the sky is on fire. The telegraph crackles and sparks. What happened?
What people saw was the result of a massive solar storm slamming into Earth. That was then. Now, anno 2025, this could happen again. Solar storms occur with clock-like regularity on the sun. Although the sun is some...
The aurora is one of the most mesmerizing natural phenomena, but for individuals with blindness or visual impairment, experiencing its beauty through traditional means is not possible. [The ATOS project][1] (A Touch of Space Weather) is dedicated to making space weather science accessible to students with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments. As part of this initiative,...
The consequences of space weather are often viewed as potentially catastrophic and civilization threatening, yet they are very often much less dramatic, but significant, nevertheless. We believe that it’s important for the public to understand how we deal with space weather events, without recurring to Carrington scenarios and scaremongering.
In Italy, public awareness of space weather...
The aurora borealis and aurora australis have been sources of inspiration, interest, and mystery to humans since ancient times. Due to recent advances in technology and space weather awareness, this “once in a lifetime” phenomenon has gained a wider reach. Major geomagnetic storms of 2023 and 2024 provided an initial experience with space weather effects for people who had not seen aurora...
Due to the amazing worldwide success of the Planeterrella experiment developed by Jean Lilensten, our research group has invested a few years in constructing and exposing this fascinating experiment for both students and the general public. Presentations both onsite, at the Institute of Space Science in Romania, and offsite, at different locations in the country have been performed. Our team...
‘Aurora and Spotty’ is a story written to communicate Space Weather to children. This presentation describes an initiative visiting schools and telling the story to children from 4 to 7 years old. The school activity starts before the visit, with the children drawing a picture of the Sun. Then, after the visit, the children draw a second picture of the Sun. Comparison between these two...
