Map the Earth’s Magnetic Shield with the Space Umbrella Project

A stream of charged particles known as the solar wind flows from the Sun toward Earth, meeting the planet’s magnetic fields that shield us like a giant umbrella. The Space Umbrella project invites volunteers to investigate this dynamic region, where the Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) mission has been collecting data since 2015.

Participants help identify when the MMS spacecraft has observed the strongest interactions between the magnetosphere and the solar wind. Those interactions can produce auroras but also release energy that could disrupt GPS and communications and endanger astronauts.

The work will also help scientists better understand solar storms and contribute to keeping astronauts and technology safe. To get started, visit the Space Umbrella project website and complete the tutorial, which teaches how to tell when the satellite is inside Earth’s magnetic field and when the magnetosphere is interacting with the Sun’s particles.

solar wind, magnetosphere, space umbrella, magnetosphere multiscale, mms mission, auroras, solar storms, gps disruption, astronaut safety, citizen science