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NOAA
SPACE ENVIRONMENT CENTER: EARTH'S FIRST DEFENSE AGAINST
THE SUN'S FURY - March
20, 2006 — The NOAA
Space Environment Center is the nation's first defense
against the affects of solar weather and the official
source of space weather alerts and warnings. "It
can be difficult for people to believe that space weather
can affect life on earth, but in fact it can have a tremendous
impact on communication and navigation systems, satellites,
electric power grids, and astronauts working and living
in space," said Larry Combs, space weather forecaster
at the NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo.
Space
weather describes the conditions in space that affect
Earth and its technological systems. Space weather is
a consequence of the behavior of the sun and the nature
of the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. The solar
disturbances categorized in space weather storms are:
Radio Blackouts, Solar Radiation Storms and Geomagnetic
Storms. These storms can interfere with the normal operation
of radio communications used by airlines and emergency
response teams, military detection or early-warning systems,
Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite components
and spacecraft operations. Solar storms also have the
potential to impact large power transformers and even
cause a large-scale blackout in North America. Solar storms
also create a biological threat to both astronauts and
people flying in aircraft at high altitudes and latitudes.
"People
are becoming more dependent on technology; the potential
far-reaching and dramatic impacts of space weather are
making our mission more vital each day," said Bill
Murtagh, NOAA space weather forecaster. "Accurate
space weather measurements and predictions are vital in
mitigating the potential impact of these storms."
Like
the prediction of weather events on Earth, forecasting
space weather begins with a thorough analysis of the environment.
However, space weather forecasters begin their analysis
at the sun and end it with an analysis of the magnetic
and radiation environment right here on Earth. NOAA Space
Environment Center forecasters use observations from both
ground- and space-based sensors to assess the current
state of the space environment. Forecasters look for recurrent
patterns of solar activity and use models similar to those
used in meteorology to predict solar storms. After a thorough
analysis, forecasters are able to predict space weather
on time scales of hours to weeks.
In addition to forecasting, alert messages for space weather
events are issued to thousands of customers when specific
levels of activity occur. When these solar storm levels
are predicted or exceeded, agencies around the world take
immediate action to mitigate the threat. Electric power
grid operators initiate protective measures to prevent
transformer damage and blackout conditions; major airlines
reroute flights away from high latitudes to avoid the
increased radiation and communication problems; drilling
and surveying agencies relying on GPS, cease operations;
and space agencies postpone satellite launches and take
action to protect sensitive instruments on satellites
in orbit.
The NOAA Space Environment Center also provides space
weather services to many government agencies, including
the departments of Energy, Transportation, Defense, Homeland
Security, in addition to NASA and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission. NOAA space weather forecasters coordinate
with NASA radiation experts daily. During large radiation
storms, NASA relocates astronauts to a safer location
on the International Space Station. NASA also is very
concerned about the potentially debilitating effects of
solar radiation on spacecraft avionics and will power-down
the billion dollar robotic arm and workstation during
large radiation storms. The NOAA Space Environment Center
provides support for deep-space missions, including, most
recently, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Stardust
mission.
To
adhere to FAA regulations, airlines must be cognizant
of space weather conditions, because certain forms of
communications are rendered useless during solar storms.
FAA rules require reliable and rapid communications at
all times between en-route aircraft and dispatch offices
and air traffic control units. The NOAA Space Environment
Center also contributes vital information for the FAA's
Solar Radiation Alerts. If a significant solar radiation
storm is detected on the NOAA GOES satellites, the FAA
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute issues a Solar Radiation
Alert. This information enables aviation companies to
decide whether or not reducing aircraft flight altitudes
or re-routing an aircraft is appropriate.
In
addition to being the lead national and the international
warning center for disturbances in the space environment,
the NOAA Space Environment Center conducts and leads important
research and development programs. These efforts contribute
significantly to the understanding of the space environment
and help improve services. NOAA Space Environment Center
staff also provides critical inputs for government and
industry policy makers and planners. The Forecast Center
of the NOAA Space Environment Center is jointly operated
by NOAA and the U.S. Air Force.
NOAA,
an agency of the U.S.
Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing
economic security and national safety through the prediction
and research of weather and climate-related events and
providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal
and marine resources.
Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of
Systems (GEOSS),
NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60
countries to develop a global monitoring network that
is as integrated as the planet it observes.
(
Original Story/NOAA )
Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Space Environment
Center
NOAA
Primer on Space Weather
NOAA
Space Weather Education/Outreach
NOAA
Space Weather Scales
NOAA
Space Weather Week — April 25-28, 2006, in Boulder,
Colo.
Other
Online Resources:
