1.4
NASA's contribution to Space Weather
Richard R. Fisher, NASA/Sun-Earth Connection Division, Washington, DC
NASA's strategic goal for the Heliophysics Division is to understand and predict the causes of space weather by studying the Sun, the heliosphere and the planetary environments as a single connected system. To achieve the systems science of Space Weather, first, a much deeper understanding of the physical processes in the Sun and Solar System that produce destructive space weather is required than is presently available. Second, an integrated understanding of the coupled Sun-Solar System must be achieved. These advances require research that cuts across traditional discipline boundaries to deliver systems science and observations that can be used to validate models. In order to be truly useful to Space Weather goal will require research that solves a problem in depth, from observation, to rigorous quantitative model, to useful prediction/specification. In order to address this space weather challenge, NASA's Heliophysics Division will be launching a series of missions starting in Fiscal Year 2006 like TWINS-B, STEREO, Solar-B and THEMIS that will provide valuable observations for system science capability. On the modeling side we have initiated an interdisciplinary research program called Targeted Research and Technology (TR&T). The role of the TR&T program within LWS is to integrate scientific output, data, and models to generate a comprehensive, systems understanding of Sun-Heliosphere-Planets coupling. Another important aspect of TR&T is to better understand the connection between solar variability and its impact on climate. In this talk I will try to summarize Heliophysics Division's contribution to Space Weather.
The effects of solar activities and space weather phenomena on daily lives, environment, and space systems are becoming more apparent, and the need to collaborate and cooperate with the international community to reach a greater understanding of these consequences is urgent To that effect I will provide an update on two important international efforts in this area namely, International Living With a Star and International Heliophysical Year.
Session 1, Agency Updates on Space Weather Activities
Monday, 15 January 2007, 10:45 AM-12:00 PM, 210A
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