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For Release: October 23, 1998 Tim Tyson ADVISORY: 98-212 |
| Magnetosphere Conference to Showcase Scientists' Explorations of 'Space Weather' |
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Power outages, disrupted satellite communications and radiation alerts for astronauts in space can all result from "space weather" in the magnetosphere, an immense body of plasmas (gases stripped of electrons) surrounding Earth. From Oct. 26-30, media are invited to cover a magnetosphere conference at the Guntersville Lake Lodge in Guntersville, Ala., sponsored by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. More than 100 scientists from the United States and other nations will report on topics -- such as how the Sun blasts Earth's magnetosphere with more than the usual amount of energetic particles during a Solar Maximum. During a "Solar Max," nuclear explosions on the Sun's surface hurl charged particles into Earth's magnetic field more frequently. This sometimes creates the fantastic, ghostly light displays, called auroras. Increased solar activity can even cause power outages and cripple communications and other satellites. Forty years ago in 1958 -- the year NASA was born -- America's first satellite, Explorer 1, discovered the Van Allen Radiation Belts, one of the most energetic parts of the magnetosphere. Since then almost every satellite studying the magnetosphere has revealed something new. At the Guntersville conference, scientists will review what has been learned in recent years. They also will look to future missions, like the Imaging Magnetospheric Explorer (IMAGE) satellite, which will give these scientists space "weather reports" similar to those that weather satellites provide for meteorologists. More information, a complete schedule of sessions and presentations, and directions to the conference are provided on the Web at: http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/gunter_ast.htm This Website will highlight daily conference proceedings and will be linked to the Marshall Center's virtual News Center at: chandra.etouch.net/centers/msfc/NEWSROOM/ To arrange interviews during the conference, contact Tim Tyson at (256)544-0994. |
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