This session will focus on the scientific challenges facing space weather understanding and prediction.

These session featuring talks on recent new platforms for space weather observations as well critical existing facilities. This session will look at some of the many new facilities that are coming into existence as well as being proposed. Existing facilities are being upgraded or developing new techniques. The focus of these two sessions will be on the way these new observational capabilities support the space weather enterprise. The emphasis will be on “the way” rather than just the observations, bringing into consideration data-assimilation, discovery missions, monitoring programs, and discussions of data/model coverage sufficient to allow predictions.

This session focuses on the role of the emerging CubeSat platform in the Space Weather Enterprise. Access to space has been made more available with the advent of CubeSats as evidenced by the 400+ launches in recent years. CubeSats range in size and capability and offer the opportunity for multipoint observations. Recent studies by the National Academy and NASA’s Living With a Star Program on the science and value of CubeSats, and NSF’s successful CubeSat program and the popular SmallSat conference demonstrate the strong interest across the community.

Sponsors: Aerospace, ERT and Science and Technology Corp (STC)

Our Nation's security, economic vitality, and daily functioning depend on the reliable operations of an increasingly interconnected and interdependent technology infrastructure. Space-weather events pose a significant and complex risk to this infrastructure, potentially disrupting electric power systems; satellite, aircraft, and spacecraft operations; telecommunications; position, navigation, and timing services; and other technologies and infrastructures. These technologies form the very backbone of the critical infrastructure we rely on for so much of what we do today. In November 2014, in his role as Chair of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), and on behalf of the President of the United States, Dr. John Holdren chartered the interagency Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation (SWORM) Task Force. In October 2015, the Task Force delivered a National Space Weather Strategy (NSWS) that articulates high-level strategic goals that enhance our Nation's preparedness for a severe space weather event. In addition, a Space Weather Action Plan was delivered to identify the activities, outcomes, and timelines that will be undertaken by Federal departments and agencies for the Nation to make progress toward the Strategy's goals. Strengthening America's resilience to space weather is a challenge that will require insight, expertise, and dedication from many; consequently, this is a coordinated approach from numerous Federal Departments and Agencies. Leadership from across the Federal Government will present a progress report on the implementation status for their respective agencies.

This session will focus on the scientific challenges facing space weather understanding and prediction.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth - causing the Moon to block the light from the Sun. Typically the Moon only partially blocks the Sun’s light during an eclipse, however occasionally the Moon completely blocks the Sun, causing a total solar eclipse. In just under eight months, on August 21 2017, we will witness one of those occasions - the first in the continental US since 1979 - when a total solar eclipse will bisect the country. In just ninety-one minutes the sixty-five mile wide umbra of the eclipse will pass over thirteen states from Oregon to South Carolina. For many people across the US, who are under the "path of totality," day will turn to night for two minutes during this time and the Sun’s enigmatic faint extended atmosphere, or “corona,” will shine in the dark sky. I will discuss the human eclipse experience, messages that the scientific community can relay to the general public, and the scientific experiments that can be done.

These session featuring talks on recent new platforms for space weather observations as well critical existing facilities. This session will look at some of the many new facilities that are coming into existence as well as being proposed. Existing facilities are being upgraded or developing new techniques. The focus of these two sessions will be on the way these new observational capabilities support the space weather enterprise. The emphasis will be on “the way” rather than just the observations, bringing into consideration data-assimilation, discovery missions, monitoring programs, and discussions of data/model coverage sufficient to allow predictions.

These session featuring talks on recent new platforms for space weather observations as well critical existing facilities. This session will look at some of the many new facilities that are coming into existence as well as being proposed. Existing facilities are being upgraded or developing new techniques. The focus of these two sessions will be on the way these new observational capabilities support the space weather enterprise. The emphasis will be on “the way” rather than just the observations, bringing into consideration data-assimilation, discovery missions, monitoring programs, and discussions of data/model coverage sufficient to allow predictions.

This session will include some history of early space weather – both its beginnings and some of the early, interest provoking, anomalies.

A Total Solar Eclipse is widely regarded as the most incredible, breathtaking natural phenomenon visible from Planet Earth. Many fortunate to have seen such an eclipse attest to the awe and wonder of this amazing spectacle. Some have even found it a life-changing, transformational experience. While many eclipses have occurred elsewhere in the world, only a tiny fraction of Americans have traveled abroad to witness this celestial wonder. Totality will be seen in 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina. Observers in the path will experience totality lasting for up to 2m 44s. But everyone in North America will see the eclipse in partial phase. The moon’s umbral shadow will take almost ninety minutes to cross the country from just south of Portland, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. There are only two of these opportunities over the next 25 years, 2017 and again on April 8th, 2024. The 2017 Eclipse will be the trailblazer for the 2024 event and will establish the baseline data and determine what new measurements will be required in 2024 The 2017 Total Eclipse of the Sun will be one of the most widely observed, most filmed and photographed, most studied and documented, and most appreciated astronomical events in human history. This panel will discuss and share some of the science, citizen science, and education and outreach activities being organized during this celestial event.