Atmospheric Emission Layers according to Photographic Observations from the International Space Station

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Photographic and video observations made by astronaut Thomas Pesquet (European Space Agency) during the 51st expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) contain...     

A review of progress in modelling of induced geoelectric and geomagnetic fields with special regard to induced currents

The Earth’s lithosphere and mantle respond to Space Weather through time-varying, depth-dependent induced magnetic and electric fields. Understanding the properties of these electromagnetic fields is a key consideration in modelling the hazard to technological systems from Space Weather. In this paper we review current understanding of these fields, in terms of regional and global-scale geology and geophysics. We highlight progress towards integrated European-scale models of geomagnetic and geoelectric fields, specifically for the purposes of modelling geomagnetically induced currents in power grids and pipelines.     

Langmuir probe measurements aboard the International Space Station

In the current work we describe the Langmuir Probe (LP) and its operation on board the International Space Station. This instrument is a part of the scientific complex “Ostonovka”. The main goal of the complex is to establish, on one hand how such big body as the International Space Station affects the ambient plasma and on the other how Space Weather factors influence the Station. The LP was designed and developed at BAS–SRTI. With this instrument we measure the thermal plasma parameters–electron temperature Te, electron and ion concentration, respectively Ne and Ni, and also the potential at the Station’s surface. The instrument is positioned at around 1.5 meters from the surface of the Station, at the Russian module “Zvezda”, located at the farthermost point of the Space Station, considering the velocity vector. The Multi- Purpose Laboratory (MLM) module is providing additional shielding for our instrument, from the oncoming plasma flow (with respect to the velocity vector). Measurements show that in this area, the plasma concentration is two orders of magnitude lower, in comparison with the unperturbed areas. The surface potential fluctuates between–3 and–25 volts with respect to the ambient plasma. Fast upsurges in the surface potential are detected when passing over the twilight zone and the Equatorial anomaly.     

Space Weather Forecasting and Supporting Research in the USA

In the United State, scientific research in space weather is funded by several Government Agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA). For civilian and commercial purposes, space weather forecast is done by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Observational data for modeling come from the network of groundbased observatories funded via various sources, as well as from the instruments on spacecraft. Numerical models used in forecast are developed in framework of individual research projects. The article provides a brief review of current state of space weather-related research and forecasting in the USA.     

Satellite telemetry of fumarole temperatures,Mount Rainier,Washington

Temperatures of three fumaroles on the west summit crater of Mount Rainier, Washington, were monitored over a 5-week period by satellite telemetry. Upon interrogation by the Nimbus 4 satellite, the temperature transducer voltages were converted to digital signals and transmitted to the satellite. The information was stored on board until the Nimbus 4 came in view of the Alaska ground station, where the data were read out and forwarded via land lines to Goddard Space Flight Center. One fumarole showed a steady temperature of about 69°C; the other two had similar maximum temperatures but registered several excursions to lower temperatures, probably due to the inflow of melt water.     

Donate a telescope in IYA

A combination of NASA/ESA's Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope has revealed the 3-D movements of gas in distant galaxies, and sprung some surprises for observers.     

Mixed fortunes for X-ray observatories

A new name for XMM, a boost for Hubble and the happy demise of a mirror ball satellite are among the space activities reported by Peter Bond .
Peter Bond is the RAS PR Officeer (Space Science).     

Verification of SPE probability forecasts at the Space Environment Prediction Center (SEPC)

In space weather forecasting, forecast verification is necessary so that the forecast quality can be assessed. This paper provides an example of how to choose and devise verification methods and techniques according to different space weather forecast products. Solar proton events (SPEs) are hazardous space weather events, and forecasting them is one of the major tasks of the Space Environment Prediction Center (SEPC) at the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Through analyzing SPE occurrence characteristics, SPE forecast properties, and verification requirements at SEPC, verification methods for SPE probability forecasts are identified, and verification results obtained. Overall, SPE probability forecasts at SEPC exhibit good accuracy, reliability, and discrimination. Compared with climatology and persistence forecasts, the SPE forecasts are more accurate. However, the forecasts for SPE onset days are substantially underestimated and need to be considerably improved.     

Does the UK need a Space Agency?

Ian Crawford argues that we need a Space Agency in order to benefit from participation in global space exploration.     

Astronomy for all!

Nick Lister describes the origins and achievements of a hands-on astronomy teaching centre, the Lawrence House Astronomy and Space Science Centre in Lancashire.     

Beyond Einstein NASA office

At the Paris Air Show in June, NASA and ESA formally signed their agreement to work on the James Webb Space Telescope.     

Solar activity and life: a review

During the early stages of the study of the origin of life, not enough attention was paid to the question of the correlation of chemical evolution on Earth and the all-important evolution of the still-to-be understood early Sun. Today, due to the advent of a significant fleet of space missions and the possibility of performing experiments in the International Space Station (ISS), a meaningful study begins to be possible concerning factors that led to an early onset of life on Earth. We wish to review and update recent work concerning the frontier between Space Weather (SpW) and Astrobiology. We argue that the present robust programs of various space agencies reinforce our hope for a better understanding of the bases of Astrobiology. Eventually, with a more realistic model of the Sun, more reliable discussions of all the factors influencing the origin of life on Earth, and hence Astrobiology, will be possible.     

Refinements and revelations

Peter Bond summmarizes recent discoveries about Martian radiation, possible new forms of matter and a sooty black comet – not to mention the nearly new Hubble Space Telescope.     

Evaluation of mixing schemes in the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) in the tropical Indian Ocean

Ocean Dynamics - The performance of three different mixing schemes implemented in the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), namely, K-Profile Parameterization (KPP), Goddard Institute of Space...     

Spitzer: the first 30 months

In his George Darwin Lecture, Michael Werner celebrates the achievements of the Spitzer Space Telescope, an observatory that owes much of its success to the fact that it is cool by design.     

Review On The Calculation Of Surface Electric And Magnetic Fields And Of Geomagnetically Induced Currents In Ground-Based Technological Systems

Space weather is a popular and important research topic today. Its origin isin the Sun. Space weather effects extend to the surface of the Earth where theyare usually called GIC referring to geomagnetically induced currents intechnological systems such as electric power transmission grids, oil and gaspipelines, telecommunication cables and railway equipment. GIC are a possiblesource of problems within such systems, and observations have been made sincethe first telegraph systems in the 1800's. This paper is a summary and reviewof present knowledge and of possibilities of modelling GIC in a system.Modelling efforts require a determination of the electric field occurring inconnection with a magnetic storm at the Earth's surface and a calculation ofthe resulting GIC. Different modelling techniques of the electric and magneticfields are evaluated in this paper, and special attention is paid to thecomplex image method (CIM) which is suitable for time-critical purposes likeforecasting of GIC. A discretely-earthed power system and a buried pipelineneed different calculation methods of GIC. The former can be treated by amatrix formalism while the distributed-source transmission line (DSTL) theoryis applicable to the latter.     

The Bullerwell Lecture 2008

A new adaptive optics system at the Palomar Observatory makes use of random atmospheric fluctuations to get high-resolution astronomical images from the surface of the Earth – twice as sharp as Hubble Space Telescope images.     

Solar system summer

It's one thing to picture weather on other planets in the solar system, quite another to get any idea of conditions on planets orbiting other stars, but that is what researchers using the Spitzer Space Telescope have done.