The International Space Weather Initiative   
       
   Nov. 8, 2010:  Prompted by a recent increase in solar activity, more than a   
   hundred researchers and government officials are converging on Helwan, Egypt,   
   to discuss a matter of global importance: storms from the sun. The "First   
   Workshop of the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI)" meets Nov. 6th   
   through 10th and is convened by the United Nations, the National Aeronautics   
   and Space Administration (NASA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency   
   (JAXA).   
       
   "Strong solar storms can knock out power, disable satellites, and scramble   
   GPS," says meeting organizer and ISWI executive director Joe Davila of NASA's   
   Goddard Space Flight Center.  "This meeting will help us prepare for the next   
   big event."   
   [...]   
   Click on the image to view a complete poster advertising the First Workshop of   
   the International Space Weather Initiative in Helwan, Egypt.[more]   
   A key problem organizers hope to solve is a gap--many gaps, actually---in   
   storm coverage around our planet. When a big storm is underway, waves of   
   ionization ripple through Earth's upper atmosphere, electric currents flow   
   through the topsoil, and the whole planet's magnetic field begins to shake.   
       
   "These are global phenomena," says Davila, "so we need to be able to monitor   
   them all around the world."   
       
   Industrialized countries tend to have an abundance of monitoring stations.   
   They can keep track of local magnetism, ground currents, and ionization, and   
   provide the data to researchers.  Developing countries are where the gaps are,   
   particularly at low latitudes around Earth's magnetic equator.   
       
   Although space weather is usually associated with Earth's polar    
   egions--think, "Northern Lights"--the equator can be just as interesting. For   
   example, there is a phenomenon in Earth's upper atmosphere called the   
   "equatorial anomaly."  It is, essentially, a fountain of ionization that   
   circles the globe once a day, always keeping its spout toward the sun. During   
   solar storms, the equatorial anomaly can intensify and shape-shift, bending   
   GPS signals in unexpected ways and making normal radio communications   
   impossible.   
       
   "International cooperation is essential for keeping track of the equatorial   
   anomaly," he adds.  "No single country can do it alone."   
       
   It's no coincidence that the inaugural meeting of the ISWI is being held in   
   Egypt, an equatorial country.  Of 30 nations sending representatives to the   
   ISWI, more than two-thirds are clustered around the magnetic equator.  This   
   could lead to a revolution in studies of low-latitude space weather.   
   [...]   
   A map of ISWI-brokered space weather monitoring stations. Prospective   
   participants should visit the ISWI home page to learn more about available   
   projects and how to become involved.   
       
   There is much to do beyond the equator, too. During the meeting, researchers   
   and students will learn how they can set up monitoring stations for cosmic   
   rays, ground currents, magnetic storms, and auroras.  There's a phenomenon for   
   every latitude and level of expertise.   
       
   "We are offering a whole buffet of research opportunities," says Davila.   
       
   Researchers who miss the first meeting will get many more chances.  The   
   International Space Weather Initiative is an ongoing program with   
   get-togethers planned on an annual basis at different spots around the world.    
   The next meeting will be held in Nigeria in November 2011.   
       
   No country is too remote, too small, or too poor to participate.  Indeed,   
   notes Davila, "the smallest most out of the way places are often where data   
   are needed most.  Everyone is invited."   
       
   Interested? Details and contact information may be found at the ISWI home   
   page: http://iswi-secretariat.org/   
       
       
   Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA   
       
   More Information   
   First Workshop of the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI) --   
   workshop home page   
       
   The ISWI got its start in 2008 after the United Nations concluded the 2007   
   International Heliophysical Year (IHY).  The goal of IHY was to raise global   
   awareness of heliophysics, the emerging science of space weather, and to make   
   cross-disciplinary connections among researchers.  Hundreds of seminars,   
   conferences, and classroom visits in dozens of countries during IHY 2007 laid   
   the groundwork for the ongoing initiative.  NASA, JAXA and the UN are primary   
   sponsors.   
       
       
   Regards,   
       
   Roger   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.56   
    * Origin: NCS BBS (1:3828/7)