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SUMMARY:The science of space weather - Jonathan Eastwood (Space Sciences L
 aboratory\, University of California\, Berkeley)
DTSTART:20090210T140000Z
DTEND:20090210T150000Z
UID:TALK16622@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Christian Franzke
DESCRIPTION:Understanding the complexity inherent in collisionless plasmas
  (as encountered in space) is a fundamental problem in physics\, but one w
 hich is also relevant to the high profile\, multi-billion dollar business 
 of space\, a business which touches our everyday life in numerous ways\, f
 rom the mundane\, such as GPS units in cars\, to the exotic\, such as the 
 trip of a lifetime on a suborbital rocket flight. However\, it has become 
 clear that the invisible link between the Sun and the Earth\, mediated by 
 the solar wind\, results in a near-Earth space environment which can be ha
 zardous for both robotic and human activities in space\, and can also have
  a severe impact on our everyday life. As well as providing dramatic auror
 al displays\, 'space weather' storms have caused power blackouts\, the fai
 lure of radio communications\, the loss of satellites\, implementation of 
 astronaut safety procedures on the International Space Station\, and many 
 other problems.\n\nThe main causes of variability in the near Earth space 
 environment are briefly reviewed\, followed by a discussion of recent adva
 nces in understanding the physics of magnetic reconnection\; although many
  plasma phenomena contribute to space weather\, reconnection is considered
  crucial because it enables the storage and explosive release of energy in
  both the solar corona and the Earth's magnetosphere. This research is pla
 ced in context by describing a number of specific examples of space weathe
 r in more detail.\n\nAs society inexorably increases its dependence on spa
 ce\, the necessity of predicting and mitigating space weather will become 
 ever more acute.\nThis requires a deep understanding of the behavior of th
 e plasmas that fill space and is prompting the development of a new genera
 tion of scientific space missions which we describe. We also speculate on 
 the future exploitation and exploration of space and the role space weathe
 r will play.\n
LOCATION:British Antarctic Survey\, Room 330B
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