The Brew of the Cosmos
Watching the invisible forces that shape our sky. Live stats and research from the intersection of solar physics and brewing curiosity.
Brewing...
Watching the invisible forces that shape our sky. Live stats and research from the intersection of solar physics and brewing curiosity.
Learn about specific historic events and theoretical physics behind the data.
Is the aurora brewing today? Check the latest activity reaching down towards the lower latitudes.
Updated frames show where the "Northern Lights" are active right now.
* Translating solar wind data into everyday effects like GPS and Power Grid stability.
Watch Earth's magnetosphere deflect the solar wind in real-time. This is our planet's planetary protection system.
NOAA Geospace Model: High-speed particles compressing our magnetic defenses.
New to space physics? Here are the key concepts for brewery visitors to understand the "Brew of the Cosmos."
Think of it as the "Steam" from the Sun—a constant stream of charged particles blowing out into the solar system. Sometimes it's a breeze, sometimes it's a storm.
Earth's magnetic shield. It acts like a planetary umbrella, catching most solar particles and funneling them towards the poles (creating the Aurora).
When a big "batch" of solar plasma (a CME) hits the shield, it rattles the magnetic field. This can light up the sky and mess with technology like GPS.