ISWI Webinars

Abstract:
Cosmic-ray physics may not strictly fall under the umbrella of space weather, but it is deeply interconnected with it, sharing significant overlaps in phenomenology, instrumentation, analysis techniques, and related disciplines. One of the most evident connections is the modulation of cosmic rays by heliospheric phenomena driven by solar activity. Variations in the Sun’s magnetic field, solar wind, and transient disturbances—such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar energetic particle (SEP) events—alter the flux of cosmic rays reaching Earth. Consequently, cosmic-ray detectors serve as valuable tools for studying space weather, providing indirect yet critical insights into solar and interplanetary conditions. This is particularly relevant for assessing space weather effects on the near-Earth environment and predicting potential hazards to infrastructure and human activity.
Beyond their utility as space weather proxies, cosmic rays also exert a direct, though subtler, influence on Earth’s environment. At high altitudes, cosmic rays contribute to radiation exposure, affecting airline crews, frequent fliers, and, more critically, astronauts in space. Their interactions with the atmosphere produce secondary particles that can impact biological systems and electronic instrumentation, posing challenges for high-altitude aircraft, satellites, and space missions. Furthermore, cosmic rays have been associated with various climate-related and geophysical effects.
Given these multifaceted connections, this talk will present key areas of interest in cosmic-ray research, the analytical methods and techniques developed, and their contributions to a broader understanding of space weather phenomena. Integrating cosmic-ray studies with space weather research enhances the ability to monitor and predict space weather impacts, improves the understanding of cosmic ray-induced effects on Earth’s environment, and refines methodologies applied in both fields.