Humankind has been fascinated since the dawn of recorded history with the Sun and its relationship to the Earth. We now know that the Sun not only emits radiation over the entire electromagnetic spectrum, it also constantly emits streams of charged particles embedded with magnetic fields, the solar wind, in all outward directions. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is carried out by the particles in the solar wind while the base of the magnetic field lines remain attached to the rotating Sun. Solar wind particles, primarily protons and electrons, travel at an average speed of 400 km/s, with a density of about 5 pair of particles per cubic centimeter (seen at Earth). The speed and density of the solar wind, as well as the magnitude and orientation of the IMF can vary considerably, and this can have a serious impact on our space environment.

Now with improved physical understanding of the Sun-Earth connection and with actual measured solar wind parameters before they reach the Earth, we can make real-time forecast of some of the responses of the Earth's space environment to the variations of the solar wind.

Real Time Forecast of > 2 MeV Electrons at Geostationary Orbit

Real Time Forecast of the Dst Index