SPACE's weather forecast could help protect us from solar flares

The information provided by space satellites could be used to better predict when solar storms will reach Earth

Scientists claim that the use of data collected from two NASA spacecraft revolving around Solar wind forecasts have been improved by 20%. [19659002] It could also help us prepare for the coronal mbad ejections (CME) that have the power to destroy electrical systems on the Earth at nearly 150 million kilometers.

Satellite data is not currently used for space weather forecasts.

STEREO satellites are a pair of satellites launched in 2006 that are currently taking images of the Sun from angles impossible to see from Earth.

Researchers at the University of Reading think that these data could be used to improve prediction of the sun's activity.

The surface of our star is constantly moving in a series of volatile eruptions and sometimes releases huge waves of particles and energy.

At a normal level, the sun's particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field and create what is called the aurora borealis and aurora australis – the north and south lights, respectively.

After a period of unusually high solar activity – solar storms or coronal mbad ejection – these particles can wreak havoc with Earth's technology.

The very large flares can even create currents within power grids and cut off the power supply.

The solar activity tends to come and go in cycles of about eleven years, according to experts, and the star is currently experiencing a period of continued inactivity.

According to NASA calculations, it was expected that the sun would reach its "solar minimum" low point in 2019 or 2020.

"At the present time, space weather forecasts are not sufficient. do not rely on the available measurements of the solar wind on board the satellite. , which contains valuable information, even far from the Earth, "explained Professor Mathew Owens, a space physicist at the University of Reading,

" We think this is the first time that this method is applied to solar wind forecasts, with the help of observations. taken by spacecraft millions of miles away. "

The team now hopes to use data from more space ships, including missions from the European Space Agency and NASA.

With access to mission data on Mars, Mercury and Venus, the team could still build on the early success of the STEREO experiment.

"Our research has shown that this method improves forecasts of at least 20% in the near-Earth space, but we expect this improvement to be even more significant if it is used. on more advanced models, "said Professor Matthew Lang, co-author. of the study.

"This method can also be used to incorporate Parker Probe and Solar Orbiter mission data into the models, allowing us to better understand the physical processes driving the solar wind to Earth."

The document was published in the journal Space Weather.