SOLSPANET

Solar and Space Weather Network of Excellence

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Space Weather (SPW) - By definition the term ‘space weather’ refers to conditions on the sun and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere that can influence the performance and reliability of space borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life or health. This definition also includes cosmic rays. Another basic component of the proposed studies is Solar Weather (SOW), which actually concentrates on the theoretical and observational investigation of the dynamical phenomena in the inner solar atmosphere which are naturally interlinked with subsequent large SPW events. Therefore, the full scale understanding of the nature of both the SOW and SPW conditions and their potential impact on the terrestrial life and communication and navigation systems, a combined multi-disciplinary approach is required. This is the main goal of the international network we are intending to build and in which all members will contribute with their respective complimentary expertise to achieve the announced objectives.

The proposed project encompasses following main aspects of cooperation: 1) an organizational component – including the establishment and development of strong links of cooperation between the solar and space physics research groups involved in the project with the aim of building a joint network of excellence by focusing their efforts on solar and space weather studies. 2) a research component - All groups participating in the consortium will contribute with very high level research objectives and developments according to their respective complimentary specialization and track record; and 3) an Educational environment - Creation of the common educational environment of for early stage young researchers.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU-funded project is fostering collaborative research in the fields of solar and space weather.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Solar storms may impact the Earth's magnetosphere or even ionosphere, threatening terrestrial life as well as reliability of communication and navigation systems. Full-scale understanding of such environmental conditions surrounding the Earth and of dynamical phenomena in the inner solar atmosphere requires a combined multidisciplinary approach.

With EU funding, the 'Solar and space weather network of excellence' (http://www.solspanet.eu/solspanet (SOLSPANET)) project aims to establish an operating European network for monitoring and forecasting solar and space weather events.

Network members combine a set of different domain expertises. These range from specialised analytical and numerical skills to advanced techniques for observing in white light or extreme ultraviolet light, decametre radio and very low-frequency emissions. The network also benefits from collaborations amongst early-stage researchers (ESRs) from EU and non-EU institutes.

After acquiring skills in data analysis, ESRs are now attending courses to further develop their skills in space and solar weather data processing. Furthermore, background analytical and numerical models have been developed that should become an integral part of future monitoring and forecasting systems for solar and space weather events. Researchers also collected a large amount of data from different types of instruments and online resources from decametre wavelength and very low-frequency radio observations.

In general, SOLSPANET is making a great effort to organise a unified working environment for the different member groups and training activities for researchers. Future work will include developing basic tools for analysing and transforming the collected data into meaningful information for the public.