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)
"Space Hazards" would make a great Christmas present for an astronomy enthusiast in your life! It's available online everywhere, from wherever you get your books. (Or on Amazon here: amzn.to/3ZLuL0f)
December 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
"Space Hazards" would make a great Christmas present for an astronomy enthusiast in your life! It's available online everywhere, from wherever you get your books. (Or on Amazon here: amzn.to/3ZLuL0f)
Today is publication day for my new book in the USA, meaning "Space Hazards" is now available worldwide!
The book explores the history, science and risk mitigation of a number of risks from space – including the Sun/space weather, asteroids and space junk.
The book explores the history, science and risk mitigation of a number of risks from space – including the Sun/space weather, asteroids and space junk.
December 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Today is publication day for my new book in the USA, meaning "Space Hazards" is now available worldwide!
The book explores the history, science and risk mitigation of a number of risks from space – including the Sun/space weather, asteroids and space junk.
The book explores the history, science and risk mitigation of a number of risks from space – including the Sun/space weather, asteroids and space junk.
An X-class #SolarFlare is currently underway on the Sun! How high will it go?
December 8, 2025 at 5:05 AM
An X-class #SolarFlare is currently underway on the Sun! How high will it go?
Two moderate (M-class) solar flares on the Sun today, showing a beautiful example of ‘flare loop arcades’. These are bright ‘slinky-like’ arches of plasma, formed as the solar flare reconfigures magnetic fields within the Sun’s atmosphere!
December 7, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Two moderate (M-class) solar flares on the Sun today, showing a beautiful example of ‘flare loop arcades’. These are bright ‘slinky-like’ arches of plasma, formed as the solar flare reconfigures magnetic fields within the Sun’s atmosphere!
After 3 full days without any notable #SolarFlare activity, the Sun just popped off a moderate M6-class flare! The catch? The event originated from tiny active region AR 14300, and not the behemoth cluster of sunspots we expect to be producing major activity!
December 4, 2025 at 3:05 AM
After 3 full days without any notable #SolarFlare activity, the Sun just popped off a moderate M6-class flare! The catch? The event originated from tiny active region AR 14300, and not the behemoth cluster of sunspots we expect to be producing major activity!
Gracefully carving through the solar corona, a mini eruption of filament plasma erupted from the Sun earlier today! Beautiful.
December 4, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Gracefully carving through the solar corona, a mini eruption of filament plasma erupted from the Sun earlier today! Beautiful.
We are now truly entering the declining phase of the solar cycle, but we’re far from over! Although solar flares are less common during this phase, some of the strongest flares of the solar cycle typically occur during this declining period.
December 2, 2025 at 11:53 PM
We are now truly entering the declining phase of the solar cycle, but we’re far from over! Although solar flares are less common during this phase, some of the strongest flares of the solar cycle typically occur during this declining period.
The entirety of November 2025 on the Sun! Despite strong solar flares and severe geomagnetic storms, last month saw a low sunspot count – with the second lowest monthly total since November 2022 (with half of the sunspots present in July/August 2024).
December 2, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The entirety of November 2025 on the Sun! Despite strong solar flares and severe geomagnetic storms, last month saw a low sunspot count – with the second lowest monthly total since November 2022 (with half of the sunspots present in July/August 2024).
A closer look at the coronal mass ejection produced by last night’s major solar flare. Some models are predicting that the eruption may have a minor Earth-directed component! #spaceweather
December 2, 2025 at 2:10 AM
A closer look at the coronal mass ejection produced by last night’s major solar flare. Some models are predicting that the eruption may have a minor Earth-directed component! #spaceweather
Physics in action: a truly mesmerising #SolarFlare on the Sun last night, from the same region that produced strong flares and triggered widespread aurora back in mid-November. The flare gives a hypnotic example of how plasma and magnetic fields interact in the Sun’s atmosphere.
December 1, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Physics in action: a truly mesmerising #SolarFlare on the Sun last night, from the same region that produced strong flares and triggered widespread aurora back in mid-November. The flare gives a hypnotic example of how plasma and magnetic fields interact in the Sun’s atmosphere.
The recent X-class solar flare is from the newly-visible region in the north east of the Sun, and not the larger region visible in to south east. Expect more large flares in the coming days!
December 1, 2025 at 2:59 AM
The recent X-class solar flare is from the newly-visible region in the north east of the Sun, and not the larger region visible in to south east. Expect more large flares in the coming days!
An X-class #SolarFlare is current ongoing on the Sun, triggering a strong radio blackout here at Earth. #spaceweather
December 1, 2025 at 2:46 AM
An X-class #SolarFlare is current ongoing on the Sun, triggering a strong radio blackout here at Earth. #spaceweather
A busy active region on the Sun is currently rotating into Earth's view, producing two moderate solar flares as it arrives over the solar horizon. (This region was previously visible two weeks ago, where it produced a number of strong flares!) #spaceweather
November 29, 2025 at 1:41 AM
A busy active region on the Sun is currently rotating into Earth's view, producing two moderate solar flares as it arrives over the solar horizon. (This region was previously visible two weeks ago, where it produced a number of strong flares!) #spaceweather
To wrap up with a minor plug, my new book, 'Space Hazards', explores the effects of solar energetic particles, alongside other types of solar activity and risks from space. (8/8) amzn.to/3ZLuL0f
November 28, 2025 at 9:44 PM
To wrap up with a minor plug, my new book, 'Space Hazards', explores the effects of solar energetic particles, alongside other types of solar activity and risks from space. (8/8) amzn.to/3ZLuL0f
Solar energetic particles are high energy electrons and protons released by the Sun, primarily during solar flares. These particles travel very close to the speed of light, arriving to Earth just a few minutes after the solar flare is first detected. (Pictured as fuzzy dots here)
November 28, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Solar energetic particles are high energy electrons and protons released by the Sun, primarily during solar flares. These particles travel very close to the speed of light, arriving to Earth just a few minutes after the solar flare is first detected. (Pictured as fuzzy dots here)
A big day for space weather, with the BBC reporting that a Mexico-to-USA flight in October experienced a 'sudden drop in altitude', likely caused by *solar energetic particles* from the Sun. Here is an explanation and some thoughts as a solar astrophysicist (a thread): 1/8
November 28, 2025 at 9:44 PM
A big day for space weather, with the BBC reporting that a Mexico-to-USA flight in October experienced a 'sudden drop in altitude', likely caused by *solar energetic particles* from the Sun. Here is an explanation and some thoughts as a solar astrophysicist (a thread): 1/8
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!