Predicting Space Weather with Researchers in Sopron
The latest development at the HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (FI) in Sopron could lead to more accurate forecasts of space weather, aiding in better preparation for extreme events.
The European Space Agency (ESA) keeps a close eye on activities in Earth’s orbit to ensure the safe functioning of satellites. The HUN-REN Institute in Sopron has been instrumental in developing space weather data products to support this effort, making near-Earth space a safer environment for operators in the space industry.
Space weather refers to the processes occurring in Earth’s orbit, primarily influenced by the Sun. During periods of heightened solar activity, rapid and severe changes can occur in this region, posing a threat to satellites orbiting Earth and technologies reliant on them, such as GPS navigation and communication systems.
To monitor space weather conditions, the European Space Agency operates a fleet of satellites around Earth. The data collected from these observations helps in understanding these processes better, enhancing predictability, and ultimately ensuring the safety of Earth’s orbit for space industry operators.
Researchers at the HUN-REN Institute in Hungary are focused on studying the onset and cessation of extreme space weather events to improve predictability. By gaining a deeper understanding of these processes, they aim to assist satellite operators in preparing for extreme events, such as radiation exposure, by developing emergency protocols or designing more resilient satellites.
The institute’s current project involves developing data products that detect ultra-low-frequency (ULF) wave activity, which plays a critical role in energizing high-energy particles that pose a threat to satellites. The algorithm created by the researchers not only identifies these waves reliably but also characterizes them on a large scale. This data system and its documentation are now accessible on ESA’s website, with the research findings published in the Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) in Space Physics.
By advancing knowledge in this field and providing valuable data products, the HUN-REN Institute contributes to a safer space environment and better equips space industry operators to handle extreme space weather events.
Via MTI; Featured image: Pixabay
