Dr Kevin Fong displays on screen an image from Tim Peake鈥檚 radiation detector.
With the help of astrophysicist Lucie Green, he interprets the image and explains that the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere and magnetic field protect us from most of the ionising particles.
A device called a planeterella is used to show a simulation of the Northern Lights and then footage from the ISS is shown.
The view of the Northern Lights is even more impressive when viewed from above.
The upper atmosphere shields us from the most harmful radiation from the Sun and other celestial bodies.
During one of the Sun鈥檚 solar particle events (solar flares), astronauts are in danger of lethal irradiation and cannot leave the International Space Station.
Water could be a good shield to these high energy particles in future space missions.
This clip is from the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2015.
Teacher Notes
Key Stage 3
This could be used to ask students to list the main ways in which we are protected on Earth from solar radiation and how astronauts are protected from solar radiation.
Key Stage 4
Students could research the Northern Lights and what causes them.
Curriculum Notes
This clip will be relevant for teaching Physics.
This topic appears at KS3 and in OCR, Edexcel, AQA, WJEC KS4/GCSE in England and Wales, CCEA GCSE in Northern Ireland and SQA National 4/5 in Scotland.
More from the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2015
What is Newton's Cannon and Third Law? video
Dr Kevin Fong demonstrates projectile motion, orbit and Newton鈥檚 Third Law.
Using Earth鈥檚 rotation to launch a rocket. video
Dr Kevin Fong demonstrates how a space rocket鈥檚 launch direction affects its success in reaching orbit.
How the vacuum of space affects the human body. video
Dr Kevin Fong does a demonstration to show the lethal effects of a vacuum on the human body.
Resonant Frequency. video
Dr Kevin Fong explains how sound vibrations could pose a real threat astronauts and rockets in space.
Orbital Rendezvous. video
Dr Kevin Fong demonstrates how and why it's so hard for a spacecraft to catch up with the International Space Station.
What does gas weigh? video
A demonstration that carbon dioxide can be poured because it is denser than air.
Why are bones weaker in orbit? video
Kevin Fong explains how micro-gravity can weaken bones. Models are used to show that bones are strong but light, and how low gravity weakens them.
How micro-gravity disorientates us. video
A demonstration of how dizziness occurs during motion sickness or micro-gravity.
The danger of orbital debris. video
Dr Kevin Fong and NASA astronaut Dan Tani explain the danger of space debris.
Demonstrating heat shield material. video
Dr Kevin Fong explains that space capsules heat up due to pressure not friction. He demonstrates a heat shield鈥檚 low thermal conductivity.
Why Earth rock is found on the Moon. video
Dr Kevin Fong demonstrates how debris from meteorites hitting Earth threw Earth rock as far as the Moon, leaving clues there about Earth鈥檚 geological history.
Demonstrating radiation detectors. video
Dr Kevin Fong shows how a Geiger-Muller tube can detect ionising radiation but not the type of radiation, and how detectors on the International Space Station can.
Why tardigrades can survive in orbit. video
Dr Kevin Fong explains why tardigrades are so resilient when exposed to ionising radiation lethal to most other organisms.
How to recycle urine in space. video
Dr Kevin Fong demonstrates a urine recycling system that works using osmosis, concluding by drinking the liquid that is produced.
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