A flare observed on the Sun by the Solar Dynamics Observatory in February, 2011. Credit: NASA/SDO
By Paul Sutherland
29 January 2012
NASA scientists are developing a new technique to forecast more accurately how space weather will impact on the Earth. Using similar methods to those that meteorologists use to check the progress of hurricanes, they will produce multiple, simultaneous computer models of how solar storms might develop to send charged particles racing across space.
The new technique is called "ensemble forecasting" and is important because the worst storms can disrupt power grids on Earth, knock out satellites, and threaten the health and safety of astronauts.