Contact
Steve Roy
Media Relations Department
(256) 544-0034
steve.roy@msfc.nasa.gov

Satellite Interview: 01-210

Attention: Early Evening Producer
Thursday, June 21
5-8 p.m EDT
10-minute windows — with B-roll

Recent solar activity spectacular; scientists study, track ‘space weather’ to understand how solar flares affect our lives

• Within the last three months, solar scientists have seen some of the largest solar flare eruptions since the 1970s — some even interfered with satellite transmissions.
• These occurred during the solar max, a period of increased activity that occurs every 11 years.
• Increased solar activity impacts satellites, telecommunications and power distribution.
• Experts study these events to better predict how solar flares affect our lives.
• Researchers will watch this week’s total solar eclipse over the Southern Hemisphere for a clearer view of solar eruptions only seen during an eclipse.
• A NASA scientist has developed more reliable solar forecasting techniques that could help in better predictions about space "weather" — the natural events in space that affect us on Earth.
• Talk to him about why the study of the Sun is important to all of us.  

Who:	Dr. David Hathaway Solar Physics Group Leader Marshall Space Flight Center
Satellite Coordinates:	GE-2, Transponder 9C, 85 degrees west longitude, Frequency: 3880 MHz, audio: 6.8 MHz.
Satellite Interview Information: Mick Speer (256) 544-3234 or Jack Robertson (256) 544-1517	Story Information: Steve Roy, Media Relations (256) 544-0034

Visit the Marshall News Center for news media at:

http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/news