Physics Department Seminar University of Alaska Fairbanks


J O U R N A L    C L U B

 

Space Weather and the Numerical Models for Forecasts

 
by
 
Rodney Viereck

Director, Space Weather Prediction Testbed
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center


 

ABSTRACT

Space weather refers to the conditions in the space environment that impact systems and technologies both in space and on the ground. The relevant regions of the space environment start at the sun, transits the interplanetary space, encompasses Earth’s protective magnetosphere, and extends down through the ionosphere to the surface of Earth. Each regime has unique physical properties and requires different sets of approximations and assumptions. Much like terrestrial weather, space weather storms come in many forms including solar flares, energetic protons and electrons, and geomagnetic storms. Each type of space weather storm occurs on different time scales and impacts different types of technologies. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of space weather, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, and the customers who use our products and services. I will describe the methods and techniques that forecasters use to predict space weather. I will present an overview of the models that are currently being used in operations as guidance to the forecasters. I will discuss the model development activities that are underway to improve existing models and add new models to the suite of tools currently available to the forecasters.



 

Friday, 02 February 2018

Globe Room, Elvey Building

3:45PM