Checking in On Space Weather
We’re all familiar with standard weather reports: rain in the western U.S., Ohio Valley, a nice high-pressure system over the southeast, with plasmaspheric hiss at higher altitudes.
Wait — plasmaspheric hiss? Space.com explains:
Plasmaspheric hiss consists of extremely low frequency radio waves with frequencies ranging from 100 Hz to several kHz. These waves scatter energetic electrons and divert some of them into the Earthís upper atmosphere, thereby creating the gap in the Van Allen radiation belts.
Fluxes of high-energy, or relativisitic, electrons which occur during space weather events such as coronal mass ejections and sunspot activity, are a risk to humans in space and damage spacecraft. Fluxes in the outer Van Allen radiation belt are particularly erratic and even the gap can be filled with killer electrons during intense solar weather events, such as the Halloween Storm in 2003, Meredith said.
A better understanding of solar weather and the source of plasmaspheric hiss will help scientists improve their forecasts of space conditions and make space travel safer for humans, he said.
"Understanding the source of hiss will help scientists produce the next generation of radiation belt models that will eventually be used for predictive purposes," Meredith told SPACE.com. "This will help humans in space plan their activities to avoid unnecessary exposure to extreme levels of radiation."
For those who are really rocket scientists, understanding the weather in space is critical to maintaining full satellite functionality on a day to day basis.
So where does one get a forecast of the day’s space weather?
Why, from NOAA, of course.
This site gives a good overview of what a daily space weather forecast looks like, with predictions of solar X-ray flux and links to auroral activity estimates and information on solar protons. A similar page provides predictions of solar wind speeds at earth; a complete list of NOAA’s space weather and data products can be found here.
And here’s a tidbit: Unlike the old joke about wind chill factor, solar wind effects you whether you believe in it or not. And it can make itself known in some amazing ways.
