Here on Earth we have weather, i.e., wind, rain, sunshine, clouds, snow, sleet, etc. In space, weather is just as dynamic with solar winds, electromagnetic particle "rains" and radiation of different kinds bombarding the planets, moons, and spacecraft such as our satellites. Just as Earth weather can do damage to homes and other property and disrupt our lives, space weather can cause damage to satellites, create beautiful auroras, and affect our communications, navigation, and power systems, disrupting our lives.

Scientists on Earth (called meteorologists) study weather patterns and have developed computer programs which give "models" or predictions of what our weather will be for tomorrow and the short-term future. Now physicists are studying space weather patterns - magnetospheric storms and substorms - in hopes of one day being able to predict space weather. If we knew two days earlier that a large space storm was headed our way, we could close down any satellite in the path of the storm and give them better protection from the radiation. Imagine how much safer space shuttle missions could be if the astronauts knew before takeoff that they would have "good weather" for their trip. Suppose a sun-solar wind model system predicted a very bad space storm on the last day of their mission. The shuttle could come back to Earth a day early and our astronauts would then be safe. Or large electrical power companies on Earth may be able to protect some of their expensive power grid components, if they had sufficient warning time.

Knowing what kind of space weather occurs regularly will help scientists to build better, more protected satellites, spacecraft, and power grids. This is a very important field of science that is still in its infancy. Just as Earth weather predictions get better with newer programs, more observations, and better models, someday getting a space weather report may be just as easy as turning on your television or radio.

Click here to see a graphic showing some effects of solar-terrestrial disturbances.

Or here to see a graphic about the Bastille Day Solar Event.

For more information on Space Weather, visit these web sites:

NASA Space Weather Bureau               http://www.spaceweather.com/

NOAA Space Environment Center         http://www.sec.noaa.gov/

Windows to the Universe     http://windows.engin.umich.edu/spaceweather/