The 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly brought together over 3,000 participants to exchange the latest results in space research and strengthen international scientific collaboration. Key highlights included a Space Agency Leaders Roundtable, Humanity's Cross-Disciplinary Exploration panel, and the first-ever Dark and Quiet Skies event.
A $1 million gift from Roger Krone establishes the University's first space systems endowment and laboratory, enhancing real-world learning experiences for students. The commitment will fund scholarships, research, and experiential learning opportunities in space systems engineering.
A Southwest Research Institute-led study demonstrates PUNCH's potential to improve space weather forecasts by tracking fast coronal mass ejections and predicting their arrival times. The mission's high-fidelity data enables accurate forecasting, with retro-forecasts predicting arrival times within a 30-minute window.
Researchers created a planning framework that assesses long-term investment strategies for improved resilience in the power grid. The framework maps weather events to grid impacts and quantifies cost-benefit trade-offs of possible solutions.
A geomagnetic storm highlighted weaknesses in UK infrastructure, with scientists calling for better monitoring and forecasting to protect critical systems. The May 2024 storm caused relatively minor disruption but was a one-in-13-year event, highlighting the need for improved preparedness.
A new UK-built instrument, MAGIC, will measure the Sun's magnetic field much farther upstream than current real-time space weather monitors. This mission aims to extend advance warning of severe solar storms from tens of minutes to several hours.
Scientists predict Solar Cycle 26's strength by analyzing sunspots at a newly-identified 'switch-off' point. This method gives a longer lead time than current methods, allowing for potential improvements in understanding the solar dynamo and predicting space weather.
Researchers suggest that extreme space weather may have far worse effects on Earth's technology than previously thought. The study, published in Nature, found a direct relationship between solar wind strength and electric currents in the upper atmosphere, indicating no upper limit to Earth's response.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have applied black-box optimization algorithms to model rainfall minimization through weather control. They demonstrated that Bayesian optimization can effectively design weather interventions, even under a limited budget of expensive weather simulations, by optimizing only a small number of trials.
A 15-year study found that extreme weather events, particularly sudden spring frosts and wildfires, have a significant impact on White Stork survival. Juvenile storks are most vulnerable to these conditions, with only 33% of fire-related incidents resulting in rehabilitation.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that even modest changes in weather can impact mental health service demand, with increases during hot weather and low sunshine. Fluctuations in temperature and sunlight exposure were linked to shifts in unscheduled healthcare use, with rainfall appearing to have little consistent effect.
Scientists found clear and systematic drifts in global models' forecasts of Rossby wave breaking, which can weaken high-impact weather patterns. The jet stream's wind shear is a key factor in these errors, and biases in jet structure can echo through the forecast chain.
Researchers propose 'nudges' could alter hurricane tracks, weaken freezes and reduce extreme rainfall through carefully-timed cloud seeding operations. The approach aims to complement conventional disaster management and encourage more favorable outcomes from potentially devastating weather events.
The ECMWF's global forecasting system now incorporates new cloud radar data from the ESA-JAXA EarthCARE space mission, enhancing weather forecasting accuracy. This move is expected to improve predictions for extreme weather events like typhoons and heavy rainfall.
A breakthrough study reveals that powerful solar storms can lead to sharp changes in North American weather patterns, including declines in precipitation. The more intense the storm, the more dramatic the shift in weather.
Alain Berinstain leads the consortium uniting eight universities to accelerate space-related research, innovation, and workforce development. Researchers focus on practical technologies and using space for Earth's benefit, including studies of human health in space.
Researchers have digitized nearly two million weather observations from Canada's colonial history, offering new insights into the country's changing climate. The dataset includes temperature, precipitation, wind, and detailed descriptions of extreme events, revealing a highly variable climate near the end of the Little Ice Age.
Researchers propose a framework for on-demand atmospheric observations using lightweight, low-cost profiling systems to improve short-term forecasting and climate resilience. Community-operated systems could fill critical gaps in existing forecasting systems, particularly in remote regions.
Researchers found that climate variability in the North Atlantic-European region and tropical Indo-Pacific regions interact to intensify Japanese winters. This interaction amplifies jet stream disturbances, resulting in colder and more severe conditions.
A Boston University researcher has designed a space-based system called StormWall to better protect against space weather. The system would fire chemical elements into the edge of Earth's magnetic field, temporarily fortifying defenses and deflecting potentially damaging storms.
Researchers identified two weather patterns associated with an increased risk of headaches in the Northeast US. The study found that approaching cold fronts and high-pressure systems, such as the Bermuda High, can trigger new-onset headaches in people with episodic migraines.
A new AI-powered translation program developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) translates weather forecasts into multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Samoan, and French. The program aims to provide life-saving information to over 68 million US residents who do not speak English at home.
Scientists have found that the Sun's internal 'biorhythm' has undergone significant changes over the past 40 years, with solar magnetic activity becoming more tightly confined near the surface. This discovery suggests the Sun may be entering a new phase of activity that could impact space weather.
Professor Hannah Cloke's appointment as Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate highlights the importance of human imagination in understanding and mitigating extreme weather. Her research has already helped communities prepare for floods and extreme weather, and she aims to empower people to take charge of their own futures.
Researchers at FSU have discovered a way to forecast winter weather patterns up to six months in advance by analyzing the stratospheric polar vortex. This new approach uses climate patterns like El Niño-Southern Oscillation to predict the vortex's behavior, allowing for more accurate forecasts of extreme weather events.
A new AI model, ESFM, has been developed to predict extreme weather events with high accuracy. It learns from complex interactions between atmosphere, land, and water, and integrates multi-source data to analyze trends and relationships within the Earth's weather system.
Researchers developed a new framework to analyze historical weather data and found a significant reduction in solar radiation in central Japan during the summer of 1836, leading to higher rice prices. The study provides a more detailed understanding of how climate fluctuations impacted society.
A new study by Lund University researchers identifies knowledge gaps and proposes tools to analyze the risks of extreme weather on birds. Birds are vulnerable due to their diurnal nature and lack of burrowing capabilities, making them more susceptible to heatwaves.
Assistant Professor Gianmarco Mengaldo has been appointed to the Joint Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence at the World Meteorological Organization. He will guide how AI is integrated into global meteorological and hydrological systems, improving forecasting capabilities and early warning systems.
Researchers use Swarm satellites and ground-based observations to distinguish between space weather effects and natural hazard signatures. This project aims to improve infrastructure protection, early warning systems, and space weather predictions.
Scientists have found that space debris loses altitude more quickly when the Sun is more active. This observation can help plan sustainable space operations and reduce the risk of collisions with satellites. The study used data from historic space junk objects launched in the 1960s to make this prediction.
Researchers from UNIGE and KIT found that traditional numerical models remain more reliable for predicting extreme phenomena than AI-based forecasts. The study highlights the limitations of AI weather models in extrapolating beyond their training domain, making them less effective for record-breaking events.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a resilient renewable energy system capable of meeting electricity demand during extreme weather conditions in hot desert regions. The system combines concentrated solar power, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines with battery and thermal storage, reducing CO2 emissions by 330,000 tonnes annually.
A UCLA-led study reveals that airborne desert dust traps about twice as much heat as previously estimated, leading to improved climate and weather models. This increase in precision will help forecasters predict regional temperature shifts, rainfall patterns, and atmospheric motions.
Researchers found that more accurate weather forecasts can significantly reduce heat-related deaths. The study suggests that technological advancements in forecasting can offset projected increases in heat-related fatalities due to climate change. In fact, the economic value of saving lives through improved forecasting is substantial a...
The book chronicles two centuries of weather stories and observations, including Britain's longest continuous daily weather records. It highlights the diversity of British weather, from scorching summers to devastating floods, and shares insights into climate change.
A Southwest Research Institute-led study finds protons and heavy ions react differently to solar magnetic reconnection events, revealing a more complex magnetic engine. This new data contradicts current models, showing protons generate waves that scatter them more efficiently.
MicroEnsemble wins AI Weather Quest, demonstrating improved sub-seasonal weather forecasting accuracy. The team uses AI technologies to post-process state-of-the-art forecasts, achieving consistent performance across various weather variables.
New research published in Weather assesses the energy consumption of AI models and finds that they consume considerable energy during training, but offset this by rapid forecasting ability. AI data-driven models are estimated to consume at least 21 times less energy than traditional models over one-year usage.
New study evaluates two prominent AI global weather models, finding they excel at forecasting storm tracks but struggle to reproduce realistic wind patterns and storm intensity. The researchers emphasize the need for bias corrections and interpretation to improve AI forecasting accuracy.
Researchers developed Zephyrus, an AI agent capable of analyzing and answering questions in natural language about weather and climate data. The agent can handle language-based queries, translating them into code and generating plain language answers.
Rice University has been selected to lead the US Space Force Strategic Technology Institute 4 (SSTI) with a $8.1 million cooperative agreement. The Center for Advanced Space Sensing Technologies (CASST) will focus on developing advanced remote sensing and sensemaking technologies from space. The research team will integrate existing te...
The launch of Mauve marks a new era for astronomical data and collaborations, enabling researchers to study stars in ultraviolet and visible light. The satellite will investigate magnetic activity, stellar flares, and exoplanet habitability.
A new Singapore-based project reanalyzes 35 years of weather records for Southeast Asia, aiming to improve weather forecasting and regional climate resilience. The project will train artificial intelligence to make more precise predictions, benefiting governments, aviation, and maritime sectors.
A new tool developed by Southwest Research Institute and National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research provides a first step toward forecasting space weather weeks in advance. The PINNBARDS framework connects surface observations of solar active regions to deep solar magnetic dynamics, offering potential for su...
The University of Texas at Arlington has launched the Center for Space Physics and Data Science, expanding undergraduate and graduate degree programs in space physics and data science. The center will train students across six focus areas, preparing them for careers in the rapidly growing space industry.
NTU Singapore is launching three new space projects under the Space Access Programme to accelerate the commercialization of space technologies. The projects include an AI-enabled satellite, a nanosatellite testing next-generation solar cells, and another nanosatellite with advanced propulsion systems.
The European Commission and ECMWF have signed an agreement for the third implementation phase of DestinE, a digital twin project aiming to improve AI climate and weather predictions. The project will start in June 2026 and focus on operating and interlinking digital twins, as well as developing AI capabilities further.
A new measurement campaign, NAWDIC, aims to explore the dynamics of weather systems over the North Atlantic Ocean and improve climate models. The campaign uses advanced remote sensing instruments to document moisture transport rates and interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
Scientists used multiple space-based instruments to track the evolution of a solar eruption, observing how it reduced background cosmic-ray activity. This approach has potential for improving space-weather forecasting and protecting satellites, astronauts, and power grids.
Astronomers have created a naturally occurring space weather station around complex periodic variable M dwarf stars to study the environment of planets. This discovery sheds new light on how stars affect their planets' makeup and might provide clues about the habitability of distant worlds.
Researchers estimated that around 100 trillion insects fly above the US every day using weather radar data. Insect populations remained relatively stable over the past decade, but regional fluctuations were observed, with warmer temperatures leading to declines in insect density.
The PUNCH mission has made significant advancements in imaging the Sun's outer atmosphere and solar wind. The spacecraft has tracked enormous coronal mass ejections, providing a unique view of space weather events and their impact on our planet.
Scientists developed an objective index for monitoring and detecting shear lines over the Philippines, accounting for up to 20% of extreme rainfall days. The detection method is useful for weather forecasting, early warning systems, and understanding how this weather system evolves.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers finds that extreme weather events can have wide-ranging effects on food production and manufacturing in the US. Climate shocks, such as droughts and floods, can reduce agricultural output and increase prices, affecting states that rely heavily on imports.
A SwRI-led study finds that quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in solar flares are driven by dynamic oscillations in magnetic reconnection. This research could help refine traditional solar flare models, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving space weather.
The US Naval Research Laboratory received the Best Paper Award in Orbital Robotics at the 2025 International Conference on Space Robotics. The award recognizes the team's work on the APIARY experiment, which demonstrated reinforcement learning control on a free-flying robotic system on board the International Space Station.
A new study analyzed three scenarios for cleaning up space junk, including controlled reentry and recycling in space. The uncontrolled reentry method is the cheapest, but poses unknown risks of debris landing on Earth. Recycling in space can save energy by reusing aluminum from spacecraft.
The University of Leicester, in partnership with TWI Ltd, has secured £560k to develop a robot-mounted arc-welding system for in-space repair and manufacturing. The project aims to overcome the challenges of welding in space by developing a new, space-qualified robotic welding capability.
A Florida Atlantic University survey finds that 36% of Floridians have moved or are considering relocating due to weather hazards. The survey also reveals concerns about climate change, with only half of Floridians believing it is caused by human activity.