Space Weather Week Set for April (Forwarded)

Office of Public Affairs
NOAA
Washington, D.C.

Media Contact:
Carmeyia Gillis, NOAA Space Environment Center
(301) 763-8000 ext. 7163

March 20, 2006

NOAA SPACE ENVIRONMENT CENTER: EARTH'S FIRST DEFENSE AGAINST THE SUN'S
FURY

Space Weather Week Set for April

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 a 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.

Relevant Web Sites:

* NOAA Space Environment Center
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/
* NOAA Primer on Space Weather
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/primer/primer.html
* NOAA Space Weather Education/Outreach
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/Education/
* NOAA Space Weather Scales
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/
* NOAA Space Weather Week -- April 25-28, 2006, in Boulder, Colo.
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/sww/

IMAGE CAPTION:
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Systems affected by space weather. Credit: NOAA