STEREO as a ‘planetary Hazards’ mission #10

Abstract

NASA’s twin STEREO probes, launched in 2006, have advanced the art and science of space weather forecasting more than any other spacecraft or solar observatory. By surrounding the Sun, they provide previously impossible early warnings of threats approaching Earth as they develop on the solar far side. They have also revealed the 3D shape and inner structure of CMEs- massive solar storms that can trigger geomagnetic storms when they collide with Earth. This improves the ability of forecasters toanticipate the timing and severity ofsuch events. Moreover, the unique capability of STEREO to track CMEs in three dimensions allows forecasters to make predictions for other planets, giving rise to the possibilityof interplanetary space weather forecastingtoo. STEREO is one of those rare missions for which “planetary hazards” refers to morethan one world. The STEREO probes also holdpromise for the study ofcomets and potentially hazardous asteroids.