Nasa. Study 2012 solar maximum 
Study Funded by NASA study finds serious hazards from space 01/05/2009 01/05/1909> Larger image>
Zoom Picture shows a scenario presented by a participant in the study of space weather leads to extreme one, the partial collapse of the broader network of U.S. electric power with enormous consequences for the affected population. . Improvements in space weather forecasting, awareness and preparation of infrastructure can mitigate the effects. Credit: NASA NASA-funded study describes how extreme solar flares could have serious consequences for communications, power grids and other technologies on Earth.
The National Academy of Sciences in Washington conducted the study. The resulting report provides some of the first clear economic data that actually quantifies the current risk of the extreme conditions in space derived from the sun's magnetic activity and changes in the environment near the Earth. The extremes of climate space are rare and are classified with other natural hazards that have a low frequency but high impact.
"Obviously, the sun is the blood of the earth's life," said Richard Fisher, Heliophysics Division director at NASA headquarters in Washington. "To mitigate the potential public safety issues is vital to better understand space weather extremes caused by solar activity."
. Besides emitting a continuous stream of plasma called the solar wind, the sun periodically releases billions of tonnes of matter called coronal mass ejections. These immense clouds of material, when directed towards Earth, can cause large magnetic storms in the magnetosphere and atmosphere superiors, Tal space weather can affect the performance and reliability of space and ground technological systems.
Space Weather Solar storms can produce electromagnetic fields that induce currents extreme cables, disrupting power lines, causing widespread power outages that affect communication cables that support the Internet. Severe weather also produces space solar energetic particles and the displacement of the radiation belts of Earth, which can damage satellites used for commercial communications, global positioning and weather forecasting. Space weather has been recognized as causing problems with new technology since the invention of the telegraph in the 19th century.
An event of severe space weather is likely when a severe flare occurs in the Earth-facing side of the sun. . In 2003, this outbreak (left) is followed immediately by a huge interplanetary shock wave (right) called coronal mass ejection or CME that spreads rapidly from the sun to Earth. . Depending on the severity and nature of the storm, the collision with the Earth's magnetic field called a geomagnetic storm can affect satellites, air travel and electricity. Credit: NASA Credit: NASA
A catastrophic failure of the commercial and government infrastructure in space and on the ground can be mitigated through public awareness, improving vulnerable infrastructure and development of advanced prediction capabilities. Without preventive measures or plans, the trend of greater reliance on modern space-time-sensitive assets could make society more vulnerable in the future.
NASA requested the study to assess the potential harm of significant space weather over the next 20 years. . National and international experts from industry, government and academia participated in the study. . The report documents the possibility of a space weather event that has an impact on society and cause similar damage to natural disasters on Earth.
"From a public policy perspective, it is significant that we have begun the task extremely difficult to assess the impacts of space weather in a quantitative way," said Daniel Baker, professor and director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. . Baker chaired the panel that prepared the report.
"" Whether terrestrial or space weather disasters, extreme events, the results can be devastating to modern societies, which depend on a myriad of forms of technological systems advanced, "said Baker.." "We are delighted that NASA helped rally the support of dozens of international experts from industry and government to share their experiences and begin to plan better strategies for public policy." geomagnetic
"The effects of the storms can be viewed in the U.S. by showing changes in the density of electrons in the outer atmospheric layers of the Earth. . The image shown before the high electron density of ionosphere and in large parts of 48 states. . The following image shows the strongly reduced electron in the northeast and central parts of the U.S., and increased in the northwest. . Credit: NASA Extreme, rapid changes in the ionosphere can cause strong currents in the power grid that can lead to unconsciousness. Credit: NASA
The sun is near the minimum of its activity cycle of 11 years. It is expected that solar storms increase in frequency and intensity toward the next solar maximum, expected to occur around 2012.
Heliophysics Science Division NASA Space in Washington provided the funding for the study. The division tries to understand the sun, solar energy processes and the interaction of solar plasma and radiation with Earth, other planets and the universe. . Understanding the connections between the Sun and its planets will allow better prediction of the impacts of solar activity in humans, technological systems and even the presence of life in the universe.
The National Academies were chartered by Congress to provide independent technical and scientific advice to the federal government.
Related Links: Related Links:
> Heliophysics Division of NASA> NASA Heliophysics Division
> National Academy of Sciences' complete report> National Academy of "full report
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http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/ features / spaceweather_hazard.html
