Solar and Space Physics A Science for a Technological Society (2013) / Chapter Skim
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3 Addressing Societal Needs
3 Addressing Societal Needs
Pages 67-74
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From page 67... ...
The downward transport of auroral products is difficult to trace and varies with the general circulation of the polar atmosphere, but it is clear that major space storms can potentially modify stratospheric composition and reduce ozone densities for a period of time following their occurrence. 1 See also Box 1.1, "Severe Space Weather Events -- Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts." 67
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From page 68... ...
The magnetosphere is the domain of nearly all Earth-orbiting satellites, affecting those in low, medium, and geostationary orbits, as well as those in high-apogee orbits. It is a region filled with charged particles, including the intense radiation belts that vary continuously in response to changes in the solar wind and to the solar disturbances that strongly affect the space environment.
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From page 69... ...
They occur more frequently and extend to higher altitudes during times of high solar activity. Changes in ionospheric total electron content during geomagnetic storms compromise the performance of GPS technology vital for aviation and many other commercial and defense applications (see Figure 3.3)
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From page 70... ...
Space radiation from all sources will pose important hazards for space systems and astronauts on long-duration flights away from Earth's magnetic field. Geomagnetic Effects on the Electric Power Grid The electric power grid, the backbone of modern society, is particularly vulnerable to space environmental effects.
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From page 71... ...
Such a powerful event directly striking Earth today could severely affect the power grid, destroying transformers and causing widespread outages. Although during the space age a direct hit of this magnitude has not yet occurred, severe solar storms have nevertheless damaged spacecraft and power grids, producing, for example, widespread power outages in Quebec in 1989 and in South Africa in 2003.
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From page 72... ...
72 SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY FIGURE 3.4 Examples of effects of space weather on critical infrastructure. SOURCE: NASA, Heliophysics: The New Science of the Sun-Solar System Connection.
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From page 73... ...
It is a formidable challenge to understand the detailed individual processes that control the space environment, while also accounting for the global couplings among the various interacting members of the Sun-heliosphere-Earth system and their subelements, such as the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere. Significant progress has accrued during the past few decades from observations made by space missions and ground-based observatories and from theories and models developed to explain the observations.
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From page 74... ...
Given an adequate investment of effort in fundamental scientific research and modeling, the research community should be able to leverage advances in computing capability to develop the predictive models required to specify the extended space environment in order to protect society and advance growing aspirations for the use of space.
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