For physics teacher Mark Swaim, the physics of space involves studying everything that happens above the atmosphere up to the edge of the solar system. Any natural phenomenon that occurs outside the Earth and within the solar system is subject to study within the physics of space.

What falls under space physics? 

Space physics is extensive, and it includes topics like heliophysics, solar wind, planetary magnetospheres, and cosmic rays. Space physics plays a very crucial role in understanding the various conditions within the Solar System and the universe as a whole. It is also used to perfect practical things like the operations of satellites and to understand the impact of the sun on modern technology.

Mark Swaim explains that space physics is distinct from astrophysics, which studies plasma in deep space. The main difference between the two is that space physics involves studying plasma where they are located through the use of spacecraft and rockets. Meanwhile, astrophysics can only study plasma beyond the solar system through theories, observation, and the use of measuring instruments to gather data.

Understanding Space Weather

One of the essential branches of space physics is space weather. It involves studying the solar wind and the area which surrounds the Earth. Space weather is different from the study of the weather of the Earth itself and its atmosphere. 

Mark Swaim says that space weather is affected profoundly by the solar wind within the solar system. Several critical physical phenomena are connected to space weather, like geomagnetic storms and ionospheric disturbances. A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance on the magnetosphere of the Earth caused by the impact of the solar wind. The study of how the Van Allen radiation belts, which is a zone of particles that have been energized by solar wind surrounding the Earth, is also an important part of the study of space weather.

Mark Swaim concludes that the physics of space covers a lot of topics and areas of interest. If you’re curious about what’s going on beyond the atmosphere, it’s an excellent field to study.