Mike Bettwy, a government meteorologist who specializes in monitoring space weather threats, recently spoke about the increasing activity of the sun and the importance of accurate forecasting. According to Bettwy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a warning for a possible solar storm in May, which was later upgraded to a G4 storm on a scale of 1 to 5.
The solar storm resulted in stunning northern lights visible as far south as Arizona, but behind the scenes, scientists were working tirelessly to minimize the potential impact of the storm, such as widespread power outages or communication blackouts. Bettwy emphasized the challenges of forecasting solar storms due to a lack of data, but noted that NOAA is making strides in improving their forecasting capabilities.
One of the key advancements in monitoring space weather is the upcoming launch of NOAA’s GOES-U spacecraft by SpaceX. This satellite will join a family of satellites designed to track the sun’s impact on our atmosphere, particularly as it approaches a peak in its activity cycle. Bettwy explained that the forecasting system works similarly to terrestrial weather forecasting, with regional watch centers collaborating and sharing forecast models to issue storm watches, warnings, and alerts.
Overall, Bettwy highlighted the importance of accurate space weather forecasting in mitigating the potential impact of solar storms on critical infrastructure and communications systems. As the sun enters a more active phase, monitoring and predicting space weather will be crucial in safeguarding against potential disruptions.
