Dr. Ryan French
@ryanjfrench.bsky.social
British Solar Astrophysicist at the Laboratory of Atmospheric & Space Physics ☀️ Author of ‘Space Hazards’ and 'The Sun: Beginner’s Guide to Our Local Star' - (views my own)
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Dr. Ryan French
@ryanjfrench.bsky.social
· Dec 12
I feel it’s time I formally introduce myself on this app! I'm a Sun scientist researching solar flares - and value the importance of communicating the facts (and combating the fiction) of that science to the world.
My first book, ‘The Sun: beginners guide to our local star’, published last year ☀️
My first book, ‘The Sun: beginners guide to our local star’, published last year ☀️
A pair of beautiful eruptions of filament plasma from the Sun’s north and south poles, happening near simultaneously. This movie, captured by GOES/SUVI, spans eight hours! #astronomy
November 20, 2025 at 4:52 AM
A pair of beautiful eruptions of filament plasma from the Sun’s north and south poles, happening near simultaneously. This movie, captured by GOES/SUVI, spans eight hours! #astronomy
As a scientist, this is always a great email to start off the week! New solar flare research coming soon. 💥☀️
November 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
As a scientist, this is always a great email to start off the week! New solar flare research coming soon. 💥☀️
Yesterday I worked with the University of Colorado Boulder's media team to film a reel for the Associated Press about the science of the northern lights.
I edited some clips into a short video for my own YouTube channel, so check it out if you're interested!
Full video: youtu.be/pNuX7o63ELg?...
I edited some clips into a short video for my own YouTube channel, so check it out if you're interested!
Full video: youtu.be/pNuX7o63ELg?...
November 14, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Yesterday I worked with the University of Colorado Boulder's media team to film a reel for the Associated Press about the science of the northern lights.
I edited some clips into a short video for my own YouTube channel, so check it out if you're interested!
Full video: youtu.be/pNuX7o63ELg?...
I edited some clips into a short video for my own YouTube channel, so check it out if you're interested!
Full video: youtu.be/pNuX7o63ELg?...
With all the strong geomagnetic activity ongoing tonight, have you ever wondered how strong these events need to be to cause some damage? Has this happened in the past? I’d be silly not to use tonight’s hype to promote my new book, ‘Space Hazards’, which explores these questions!
November 12, 2025 at 6:34 AM
With all the strong geomagnetic activity ongoing tonight, have you ever wondered how strong these events need to be to cause some damage? Has this happened in the past? I’d be silly not to use tonight’s hype to promote my new book, ‘Space Hazards’, which explores these questions!
Some final aurora photos from me tonight, taken during the recent substorm at Coot Lake, Boulder CO. What a night! Let’s wait and see if tomorrow brings the expected round two.
November 12, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Some final aurora photos from me tonight, taken during the recent substorm at Coot Lake, Boulder CO. What a night! Let’s wait and see if tomorrow brings the expected round two.
The northern lights shot with my iPhone (just this second) in Boulder, Colorado. This is a very impressive event!
November 12, 2025 at 4:48 AM
The northern lights shot with my iPhone (just this second) in Boulder, Colorado. This is a very impressive event!
From colleagues – the northern lights are currently out in Boulder Colorado!
November 12, 2025 at 1:33 AM
From colleagues – the northern lights are currently out in Boulder Colorado!
Here is a view of today’s eruption from the Sun, currently en route to Earth. You can see a full ‘halo’ in the data, indicating the plasma is coming our way. You can also see the ‘fuzzy snow’ in the images, caused by particles from the solar flare hitting the camera!
November 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Here is a view of today’s eruption from the Sun, currently en route to Earth. You can see a full ‘halo’ in the data, indicating the plasma is coming our way. You can also see the ‘fuzzy snow’ in the images, caused by particles from the solar flare hitting the camera!
The Sun just produced an X5.1 class #SolarFlare. This is the largest flare of 2025 so far, and 6th largest of the past two years. It triggered a strong ‘Radio Blackout’ and moderate ‘Solar Radiation Storm’ at Earth, and released what is most likely an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection!
November 11, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The Sun just produced an X5.1 class #SolarFlare. This is the largest flare of 2025 so far, and 6th largest of the past two years. It triggered a strong ‘Radio Blackout’ and moderate ‘Solar Radiation Storm’ at Earth, and released what is most likely an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection!
The Sun produced another X-class solar flare today, launching a second coronal mass ejection our way! The models are predicting the likelihood of a strong geomagnetic storm (G3 on a scale of 1-5).
November 11, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The Sun produced another X-class solar flare today, launching a second coronal mass ejection our way! The models are predicting the likelihood of a strong geomagnetic storm (G3 on a scale of 1-5).
Not my usual science content – but last weekend I ran my first half marathon! It was tough, but I achieved a decent time I was happy with as a first attempt.
(I’m well aware of how this conforms to the ‘approaching 30’ stereotype!).
(I’m well aware of how this conforms to the ‘approaching 30’ stereotype!).
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Not my usual science content – but last weekend I ran my first half marathon! It was tough, but I achieved a decent time I was happy with as a first attempt.
(I’m well aware of how this conforms to the ‘approaching 30’ stereotype!).
(I’m well aware of how this conforms to the ‘approaching 30’ stereotype!).
Today the Sun produced an X1.8-class #SolarFlare (the highest category). The event also triggered an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection, although we are still yet-uncertain of the likely strength or timings of the impact at Earth. #spaceweather
November 9, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Today the Sun produced an X1.8-class #SolarFlare (the highest category). The event also triggered an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection, although we are still yet-uncertain of the likely strength or timings of the impact at Earth. #spaceweather
It was great chatting on FOX Weather today about the recent and upcoming aurora! Wishing everyone clear skies ahead of the (hopefully) incoming strong geomagnetic storm.
November 7, 2025 at 2:10 AM
It was great chatting on FOX Weather today about the recent and upcoming aurora! Wishing everyone clear skies ahead of the (hopefully) incoming strong geomagnetic storm.
Some better photos of the aurora from my Denver to Chicago flight last night! These were taken at 40° latitude during a moderate geomagnetic storm.
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Some better photos of the aurora from my Denver to Chicago flight last night! These were taken at 40° latitude during a moderate geomagnetic storm.
Spotted the northern lights on my flight from Denver to Chicago this evening!
November 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Spotted the northern lights on my flight from Denver to Chicago this evening!
Here is a video of the two large (X-class) solar flares on the Sun today. Where there are two, there are likely more to follow. We could be in for a busy week of solar activity! #spaceweather
November 5, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Here is a video of the two large (X-class) solar flares on the Sun today. Where there are two, there are likely more to follow. We could be in for a busy week of solar activity! #spaceweather
There are currently two active regions on the Sun producing X-class solar flares (the highest category) – both newly visible to Earth. These regions will rotate to point right at us later this week!
November 5, 2025 at 1:43 AM
There are currently two active regions on the Sun producing X-class solar flares (the highest category) – both newly visible to Earth. These regions will rotate to point right at us later this week!
We have another X-class solar flare and strong radio blackout in progress! Things are heating up.
November 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
We have another X-class solar flare and strong radio blackout in progress! Things are heating up.
A #SolarFlare from active region AR14274 has capped out around the X1.8-class level. Not bad, but I expect we'll see something stronger than this before the week is done!
November 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A #SolarFlare from active region AR14274 has capped out around the X1.8-class level. Not bad, but I expect we'll see something stronger than this before the week is done!
The Sun has produced four moderate (M-class) solar flares today. We expect solar activity to continue increasing for the next week or so, as busy regions on the Sun rotate to face Earth!
November 3, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The Sun has produced four moderate (M-class) solar flares today. We expect solar activity to continue increasing for the next week or so, as busy regions on the Sun rotate to face Earth!
A trio of monster active regions have rotated into view over the Sun’s eastern horizon. Whilst the front of the Sun has been quiet for a while, these regions were producing significant activity on the Sun’s backside. They will rotate to face Earth later this week. #spaceweather
November 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A trio of monster active regions have rotated into view over the Sun’s eastern horizon. Whilst the front of the Sun has been quiet for a while, these regions were producing significant activity on the Sun’s backside. They will rotate to face Earth later this week. #spaceweather
The name for the ‘Milky Way’ doesn’t translate between different cultures. In China, the name for our galaxy instead translates as ‘Silver River’!
Have you ever seen the Silver River?
Have you ever seen the Silver River?
October 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The name for the ‘Milky Way’ doesn’t translate between different cultures. In China, the name for our galaxy instead translates as ‘Silver River’!
Have you ever seen the Silver River?
Have you ever seen the Silver River?
Active region AR 14246 on the Sun has woken up over the past 24 hours, producing four moderate (M-class) solar flares. The region will soon rotate out of the Earth-strike zone, but certainly has the potential to trigger much stronger (X-class) solar flare events.
October 14, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Active region AR 14246 on the Sun has woken up over the past 24 hours, producing four moderate (M-class) solar flares. The region will soon rotate out of the Earth-strike zone, but certainly has the potential to trigger much stronger (X-class) solar flare events.
A series of mesmerising filament eruptions from the Sun tonight! These particular events are not Earth-directed, but beautiful to watch.
October 14, 2025 at 5:06 AM
A series of mesmerising filament eruptions from the Sun tonight! These particular events are not Earth-directed, but beautiful to watch.
In 2024, the Sun reached the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. Over the year, the Sun produced hundreds of notable solar flares and coronal mass ejections! ☀️
I have uploaded a 13-minute YouTube video presenting the highlights of those events! Enjoy. youtu.be/WJxuxAA82uI?...
I have uploaded a 13-minute YouTube video presenting the highlights of those events! Enjoy. youtu.be/WJxuxAA82uI?...
October 13, 2025 at 4:51 AM
In 2024, the Sun reached the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. Over the year, the Sun produced hundreds of notable solar flares and coronal mass ejections! ☀️
I have uploaded a 13-minute YouTube video presenting the highlights of those events! Enjoy. youtu.be/WJxuxAA82uI?...
I have uploaded a 13-minute YouTube video presenting the highlights of those events! Enjoy. youtu.be/WJxuxAA82uI?...