DSCOVR is the linchpin of next-generation space weather forecasts
Theo Stein, Noaa Headquarters
Even though the sun is 93 million miles away, activity on the surface of the sun can have significant impacts here on Earth, said Tom Berger, director of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Together, the instruments provide forecasters with the necessary information to issue geomagnetic storm warnings. The Geospace Model will enable forecasters to issue regional, short-term space weather forecasts for the first time, including predictions on the timing and strength of a solar storm that will impact Earth. Data from DSCOVR, which will be available to the public in real-time online, will allow forecasters to provide space weather warnings and alerts up to an hour before a surge of particles and magnetic field generated by solar storms hit Earth. Explore further Nation’s first operational satellite in deep space reaches final orbit