. 24/7 Space News .
SOLAR SCIENCE
Embry-Riddle Joins NSF Space Weather Challenge
by Ginger Pinholster
Daytona Beach FL (SPX) Jul 07, 2022

Researchers are studying variations in the ionosphere, a region of space that's key to communication and constantly rocked by Earth-based as well as solar disturbances. (Illustration: NASA Goddard's Conceptual Image Lab)

Just as the ocean's surface can be calm and glassy or churning big waves, a moody portion of space called the ionosphere can smoothly reflect communication signals or bounce them into oblivion. Predicting the ionosphere's wild mood swings is the focus of new National Science Foundation (NSF) support for research at five top engineering schools, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The ionosphere, sandwiched between the Earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere, reflects radio waves and plays a key role in communication, but it's constantly bombarded from above and below: The sun's blasts create geomagnetic disturbances in the ionosphere, while events on Earth such as extreme weather force atmospheric waves to roll upward through space.

"Variations within the ionosphere can disrupt satellite and radio communication as well as GPS navigation," explained Dr. Christopher Heale, research assistant professor at the Center for Space and Atmospheric Research (CSAR), who has joined the NSF Space Weather Challenge. "While extreme geomagnetic storms from above can damage electronic systems on spacecraft and on Earth, ionospheric variability can also be influenced from below by day-to-day atmospheric wave activity and extreme weather events such as large thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes."

If researchers could better understand exactly what causes most of the variability in the ionosphere from day to day, they might be able to predict disturbances. Someday, it might even be possible to prevent disruption or damage to communication systems, by taking action. "We would aim toward predictability - being able to say ahead of time of what the ionosphere is going to be doing so that we could shut down or adjust key systems," Heale said.

To improve understanding of space weather risks, the NSF awarded nearly $524,000 to researcher Xian Lu at Clemson University, for a project involving collaborators at Embry-Riddle as well as the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory and Virginia Tech. Heale's contribution to the project will be computer modeling of atmospheric weather events that lead to ionospheric variability.

In addition to pursuing scientific insights, the research team will plan outreach activities to help promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, by getting young people interested in the work, Heale added.

The NSF award was made under its Grand Challenges in Integrative Geospace Sciences: Advancing National Space Weather Expertise and Research toward Societal Resilience (ANSWERS) solicitation. ANSWERS projects encompass solar and space physics, and space weather and space climate.

"These topics are critical to advancing scientific discovery and to protecting the nation's economy and security," NSF noted in a news release. "Solar and space weather events such as geomagnetic storms pose hazards to satellite communications, navigation systems, electrical power and other aspects of a technology-dependent society."


Related Links
Center for Space and Atmospheric Research (CSAR)
Solar Science News at SpaceDaily


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


SOLAR SCIENCE
SwRI demonstrates machine learning tool to efficiently process complex solar data
San Antonio TX (SPX) Jul 07, 2022
Big data has become a big challenge for space scientists analyzing vast datasets from increasingly powerful space instrumentation. To address this, a Southwest Research Institute team has developed a machine learning tool to efficiently label large, complex datasets to allow deep learning models to sift through and identify potentially hazardous solar events. The new labeling tool can be applied or adapted to address other challenges involving vast datasets. As space instrument packages collect in ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SOLAR SCIENCE
Terran Orbital completes CAPSTONE's First TCM Burn

Jacobs Awarded $3.9B Engineering and Science Contract at NASA

CAPSTONE deploys from Rocket Lab Lunar Photon into Lunar Transfer Orbit

RIT receives NASA funding to develop new diffractive solar sail concepts

SOLAR SCIENCE
Commercial space launch site begins construction

Australia's space future blasts off from Nhulunbuy

SpaceX ties record for reused Falcon 9 rocket on 50th Starlink launch

Boeing subsidiary to build two new Virgin Galactic motherships

SOLAR SCIENCE
Humans on Mars: Pathways toward sustainable settlement

Searching for Sand Transport

Sometimes things get complicated

Let's go to Mars

SOLAR SCIENCE
Shenzhou-14 Taikonauts conduct in-orbit science experiments, prepare for space walks

Construction of China's first commercial spacecraft launch site starts in Hainan

Wheels on China's Zhurong rover keep stable with novel material

Shenzhou XIII astronauts doing well after returning to Earth

SOLAR SCIENCE
Kleos Space invests for future growth in the UK

ESA astronaut selection in the final stages

SatixFy Technology enables first 5G link through a LEO constellation

SES-22 set to launch on Falcon 9 June 29

SOLAR SCIENCE
Using lasers and 'tow-trucks', Japanese firms target space debris

Sidus Space marks successful space-qualification of Dhruva space's satellite orbital deployer

Discs for fault detection

ICEYE expands its business to offer complete satellite missions for customers

SOLAR SCIENCE
Could we eavesdrop on communications that pass through our solar system

NASA Rockets Launch from Australia to Seek Habitable Star Conditions

Building blocks for RNA-based life abound at center of our galaxy

NASA Helps Decipher How Some Distant Planets Have Clouds of Sand

SOLAR SCIENCE
You can help scientists study the atmosphere on Jupiter

SwRI scientists identify a possible source for Charon's red cap

NASA's Europa Clipper Mission Completes Main Body of the Spacecraft

Gemini North Telescope Helps Explain Why Uranus and Neptune Are Different Colors









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.