Space weather, impacts and forecasting: An overview

Abstract

This has been a brief overview of the hazards presented by disturbances from the Sun, covering the developing science of space-weather forecasting with a focus on geomag netic storms, but also with some discussion of X-ray flares and high-energy proton events. As well as danger to modern technology there is also a risk to human life and health from such events. Our increasing reliance upon sensitive equipment makes this an important area for continued research, with the aim of improved forecasting techniques. At present forecasting capability is limited because of uncertainties in our knowledge of the activity on the Sun's surface, but the latest satellite imagery, on SDO for instance, offers advances in understanding how the Sun works. © British Crown copyright, the Met Office, 2012, published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.