A solar storm is an event where activity on the sun interferes with the earth’s magnetic field. It is hard to believe that something so far away can have an impact on the earth, but there is plenty of evidence that shows it can happen.
These event begin as coronal mass ejections and solar flares. Coronal mass ejections are huge bubbles of gas threaded with magnetic field lines that are ejected from the sun over the course of several hours. A solar flare is a tremendous explosion on the sun that happens when energy stored in ‘twisted’ magnetic fields (usually above sunspots) is suddenly released.
It is important for scientists to be able to predict these solar storms. When they are carried by solar winds, they can cause issues with space flight, satellites, and magnetic fields around the earth. One of the biggest problems resulting from a solar storm is the relationship it has with the power grids. If people know they are coming, they can be more prepared.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center is where all the information is compiled to make forecasting a solar storm possible. By meticulously studying the stars of the planet there is information provided to warn of coming solar storms.
Scientists collect information from several spacecrafts. They receive information from the Stereo spacecraft, the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Solar Heliospheric Observatory. This information is constantly streaming into the Space Weather Center for the scientists to receive information and build models. From these models come predictions.
Scientists use a technique, called helioseismology. This allows researchers to look inside the sun by tracing sound waves as they pass through the sun. It is very much like an ultra sound that is used to see an infant.
A scientist can determine the size and the strength of a cornonal mass ejection and then take that information and determine the possible predictions on the ground. There predictions are becoming more refined and accurate every day.
It seems fitting to hear from a professional. Joseph Kunches, is the chief of the forecast and analysis branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Environment Center in Boulder Colorado. He draws the comparison of the space weather predictions to those of the hurricane season predictions.
“The kinds of questions that are posed to hurricane forecasters also come to us in terms of space weather,” he told reporters. “When is the next cycle going to start? How strong will it be? When will it quiet down? And compared to, say, the last [cycle in] recent memory, what are the effects going to be?”
Scientists will keeping refining equipment and models. The life of the sun has a direct relationship on what happens to the earth.
