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Space Weather #space-weather · USA/NASA February 19, 2026

NASA Wants You to Hunt Solar Storms from Your Couch

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Image for: NASA Wants You to Hunt Solar Storms from Your Couch
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NASA Wants You to Hunt Solar Storms from Your Couch

Citizen Scientists Get Frontrow Seat to Earth's Magnetic Drama

NASA is opening its doors to amateur researchers, inviting the public to help decode one of space's most violent—and beautiful—phenomena: the collision between Earth's magnetic shield and the Sun's relentless particle stream.

The Space Umbrella project, announced February 19, 2026, leverages crowdsourced analysis of data collected by NASA's Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) mission since 2015. Participants will identify the most intense interactions between Earth's magnetosphere and solar wind using real satellite observations, contributing directly to research that could improve forecasting of geomagnetic storms and protect critical infrastructure.

Why This Matters Now

Geomagnetic storms are no longer theoretical hazards—they're operational threats. In 2023, a moderate solar storm degraded GPS accuracy for precision agriculture across the American Midwest, costing farmers millions in reduced yield estimates. Severe events could theoretically disable power grids, disable communications networks, and endanger astronauts in orbit. With the Artemis program accelerating crewed lunar missions and commercial space stations expanding operations, understanding magnetospheric dynamics has shifted from academic curiosity to mission-critical infrastructure protection.

The Space Umbrella project addresses a genuine bottleneck: NASA's MMS mission generates vast datasets, but human pattern recognition—the ability to spot anomalies and correlations—remains superior to unsupervised algorithms for this type of exploratory science. By distributing analysis across thousands of volunteers, NASA accelerates discovery while building public literacy about space weather.

The Physics Behind the Umbrella

Earth's magnetic field, generated by convection in the planet's liquid outer core, creates an invisible bubble called the magnetosphere. This bubble extends roughly 40,000 miles on the Sun-facing side—imagine an umbrella the size of several Earths. The solar wind, a constant stream of electrons and protons ejected from the Sun's corona, continuously batters this shield at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per second.

When conditions align, the solar wind's magnetic field and Earth's magnetic field undergo a process called magnetic reconnection: their field lines physically snap and reorganize, explosively releasing energy equivalent to millions of nuclear weapons. This energy cascades through the magnetosphere, accelerating particles toward Earth's atmosphere. There, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules, producing the aurora borealis and australis—the ethereal green and red lights visible at high latitudes.

But reconnection also unleashes geomagnetic storms that ripple through technological systems. The 2019 Halloween storm, triggered by an X-class solar flare, disrupted military communications and degraded high-frequency radio systems used by aviation and maritime industries.

How Volunteers Contribute

Participants need no background in physics. The Space Umbrella tutorial teaches volunteers to recognize MMS sensor signatures—essentially teaching pattern recognition. Volunteers will examine magnetometer data and plasma measurements to identify when the satellite has transitioned from Earth's magnetosphere into solar wind, and vice versa. These boundary crossings often coincide with the most energetic reconnection events.

This crowdsourcing approach, part of a broader trend in NASA's citizen science portfolio, has proven effective. Similar projects—like the Lake Observations by Citizen Scientists and Satellites (LOCSS) program—have enabled volunteer networks to validate satellite data at unprecedented scale.

What Comes Next

Space Umbrella data will feed directly into NASA's heliophysics research, improving models that forecast geomagnetic storm severity and timing. As solar activity intensifies toward the peak of Solar Cycle 25 (expected 2024–2026), accurate predictions become increasingly valuable. The project also represents a shift in how NASA engages the public—not as passive consumers of science communication, but as active researchers contributing to operational intelligence that protects human spaceflight and Earth-based infrastructure.

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Think of it like...

Earth's magnetosphere deflects solar wind particles like an umbrella blocks rain—except the particles travel at millions of miles per hour and carry enough energy to knock out GPS systems across entire continents.

Related Entities

NASA·agency
Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS)·satellite
Space Umbrella Project·facility
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory·facility
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Image for: NASA's Twin Spacecraft Will Map Mars' Atmospheric Death
Space Weather1 day ago

NASA's Twin Spacecraft Will Map Mars' Atmospheric Death

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Image for: NASA races to fix Moon rocket before April launch window
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NASA races to fix Moon rocket before April launch window

Artemis II Hits the Repair Bay NASA's Artemis II lunar rocket and Orion spacecraft rolled into the Vehicle Assembly Building on February 25, and technicians immediately went to work on a helium system malfunction that emerged during a recent test firing. Engineers traced the problem to the rocket's interim cryogenic propulsion system (ICPS) — the upper stage responsible for pushing the spacecraft toward the Moon — narrowing suspects to either a quick-disconnect seal or a check valve on the helium supply line. The issue surfaced during a wet dress rehearsal on February 21, when engineers were reconfiguring the rocket following a successful test. The helium system failure meant the upper stage couldn't be properly pressurized and conditioned for flight, a critical prerequisite before any Moon mission can launch. With an April launch window already on the calendar, the clock is ticking — but NASA engineers insist the timeline remains achievable if repairs proceed cleanly. Why Helium Matters to Moon Missions To non-engineers, helium might sound like party balloon filler. In reality, it's mission-critical infrastructure. The ICPS uses helium to maintain proper internal environmental conditions and to pressurize the upper stage tank for flight. Without adequate helium flow and pressure, the stage cannot function reliably once in space. The system connects through two umbilical interfaces: a forward plate (smaller) carrying liquid hydrogen vent and environmental control lines, and an aft plate (larger) supplying both liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, plus the helium quick-disconnect that's now suspect. The repair scope extends beyond just the helium problem. Teams are installing two sets of internal access platforms inside the launch vehicle stage adapter and removing thermal blankets to reach the problematic connection points. It's painstaking work — the kind that requires careful choreography and zero tolerance for error. Parallel Work Maximizes Schedule Efficiency While technicians tackle the helium issue, other crews are executing complementary repairs in parallel. NASA engineers have optimized the Vehicle Assembly Building work schedule to install new batteries across the SLS core stage, upper stage, and solid rocket boosters. The team will also retest the flight termination system — the rocket's safety kill switches — alongside avionics and control systems verification. The Orion spacecraft's launch abort system batteries will be recharged, and crews may refresh stowed items in the crew module. This multi-workstream approach is standard practice for large-scale vehicle processing, but it only works if the primary repair — in this case, the helium system fix — doesn't cascade into secondary problems. NASA has budgeted flexibility into the timeline, but each discovered issue compounds schedule risk. The April Window and Beyond NASA has publicly committed to an April launch opportunity for Artemis II, pending successful completion of data reviews, repairs, and system retests. The rocket will need to roll back to Launch Pad 39B in time to meet that window. If repairs extend beyond a few weeks, or if the investigation uncovers additional issues with the ICPS, the launch could slip to later availability windows. The Artemis II mission represents a crucial stepping stone for the broader lunar program — a crewed test flight of the SLS and Orion before the actual Moon landing attempt. Any delay ripples through the entire architecture. Yet rushing repairs on a vehicle bound for human spaceflight is never the answer. NASA will move methodically through diagnostics and fixes. The real deadline isn't April; it's mission success.

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Artemis Moon Mission Delayed Again as NASA Rolls Back Rocket

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Japan's Defense Ministry Locks in €1.55B Spy Satellite Constellation

Japan Inks Landmark Defense Satellite Deal Japan's Ministry of Defense has formalized a €1.55 billion ($1.7 billion USD) contract for a sovereign satellite constellation designed to deliver persistent surveillance imagery in support of national security operations. The deal, announced through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) partnership, marks a significant pivot toward indigenous space-based reconnaissance capabilities—a strategic move that reflects Japan's evolving role in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region. Synspective, a Tokyo-based Earth observation specialist, will execute the project alongside Tri-Sat Constellation Co., Ltd., a Special Purpose Company created specifically for this venture. Tri-Sat brings together three Japanese industrial titans: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (defense electronics and satellite systems), SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (satellite operations and infrastructure), and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (trading and project finance). The total contract value stands at 283.1 billion yen, with the PFI structure allowing Japan's defense ministry to leverage private-sector expertise while maintaining government oversight of operational control. A Strategic Shift in Asia-Pacific Security This constellation project arrives at a critical moment for Japanese defense policy. Faced with evolving security challenges—including monitoring of military activities across the region and assessment of natural disasters—Japan has accelerated its space-based intelligence capabilities. Unlike satellite imagery available through commercial providers or allied nations, a dedicated constellation gives Tokyo independent, persistent observation of key areas of strategic interest without relying on foreign intermediaries. The constellation concept itself isn't new. The United States operates multiple classified reconnaissance satellite systems; Europe's Copernicus program provides open Earth observation; and emerging spacefaring nations including India and South Korea are developing similar capabilities. However, Japan's approach is notable for its public-private partnership structure, which distributes financial risk while ensuring rapid deployment of proven technology. Technical Architecture and Operational Scope While the source materials don't specify the exact constellation architecture—number of satellites, orbital altitude, or imaging resolution—the €1.55 billion budget suggests a mid-scale system, likely comprising 10-20 satellites in sun-synchronous or similar dedicated orbits. Synspective's existing expertise in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging indicates the constellation will likely include both optical and radar sensors, providing all-weather surveillance regardless of cloud cover or daylight conditions. The PFI structure is operationally significant. Rather than the Ministry of Defense building and maintaining satellites directly, private contractors handle design, manufacture, launch, and ground operations under long-term service contracts. This model has proven effective in Japan's space programs and reduces the upfront capital burden on defense budgets while allowing for technology refresh cycles as capabilities advance. What Comes Next The execution of this contract signals the beginning of the design and procurement phase, with first satellites likely reaching orbit within 3-5 years based on typical PFI timelines in Japan's space sector. Key milestones to watch include supplier selections for launch vehicles, ground infrastructure completion, and the first imagery product validations. This project will also establish precedent for future Japanese government-commercial space partnerships, potentially influencing how Tokyo structures other defense and civilian space initiatives as it strengthens its position in the competitive space economy.

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Space Weather4 days ago

ESA captures 'ring of fire' eclipse from space in ultraviolet light

ESA's Proba-2 Captures Rare Annular Eclipse From Above Atmosphere On February 17, 2026, the European Space Agency's Proba-2 satellite achieved what ground-based observatories cannot: a crisp, unobstructed view of an annular solar eclipse from space. The spacecraft captured the event in extreme ultraviolet light, revealing the Sun's corona—its wispy, million-degree outer atmosphere—with unprecedented clarity. Unlike observers on Earth, who watched the Moon form a brilliant "ring of fire" across the Sun's disk, Proba-2 documented the eclipse free from atmospheric distortion, providing scientists with raw data on solar behavior that could reshape how we prepare for space weather threats to critical infrastructure. An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and Sun but appears too small to completely block our star. This happens because the Moon sits farther along its elliptical orbit, making it smaller in the sky than the Sun. The result is a glowing ring—the photosphere—visible around the Moon's silhouette. While dramatic from Earth, the real scientific payoff comes from space. Proba-2's SWAP (Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System) imager operates at 17.4 nanometers, a wavelength that penetrates the Sun's corona to reveal solar flares and coronal mass ejections in detail. Ground-based telescopes cannot access this information because Earth's atmosphere absorbs ultraviolet light. Why This Matters Now The timing of Proba-2's observations arrives as space agencies worldwide confront an uncomfortable reality: we are ill-equipped for the next major solar storm. In May 2024, a geomagnetic storm rated G4 (severe) disrupted farming equipment GPS across North America and degraded power grid stability. Scientists warn that a Carrington Event-scale storm—possible within the next 12 years—could cause trillions in economic damage. By monitoring the Sun's corona during eclipses, researchers can refine models that predict when and where coronal mass ejections will hit Earth. Proba-2's 2026 data feeds directly into this effort. Proba-2, launched in 2009, represents a lean approach to solar science. The satellite is small—fitting inside a compact spacecraft architecture—yet bristles with sophisticated instrumentation. Its longevity (now in its 15th year of operation) reflects solid engineering and ESA's commitment to sustained solar monitoring. The SWAP imager has been the backbone of ultraviolet solar research for over a decade, making the February 2026 eclipse observations a natural extension of an already robust mission. The Broader Context Solar eclipse observations from space have accelerated scientific discovery since NASA's Skylab era in the 1970s. Modern satellites like Proba-2, SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory), and Japan's Hinode have transformed our understanding of solar dynamics. The February 2026 eclipse is part of a constellation of upcoming celestial events: a total solar eclipse crosses Greenland, Iceland, and Spain on August 12, 2026, followed by another total eclipse over North Africa and the Middle East on August 2, 2027. Each event offers opportunities for both space-based and terrestrial science campaigns. What's Next The data Proba-2 collected during the February 2026 annular eclipse will be processed and released to the broader scientific community, likely yielding dozens of peer-reviewed papers on solar corona dynamics and heating mechanisms. Meanwhile, space agencies are preparing deployment of next-generation solar observatories—including ESA's upcoming Solar Orbiter deep-dive missions and NASA's planned solar probe fleet—designed to get even closer to the Sun and capture phenomena invisible to current instruments. The 2026 eclipse serves as both a capstone to a generation of solar science and a proving ground for the observational strategies that will guide the next decade of heliophysics research.

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