USTAR Team Uses Space Weather Forecasting to Assist Japan's Disaster Relief
The USTAR Space Weather Center at Utah State University is assisting with Japanese disaster relief efforts by providing data maps outlining the best frequencies for radio communication within the islands of Japan. Storms in space, in the ionosphere, can adversely impact communication and complicate the coordination rescue teams.
The Space Weather Center at USU can forecast solar flares and geomagnetic storms using the Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements system to provide a physics-based, data-driven model of the ionosphere, coupled with Space Environment Corporation’s ABBYNormal model. The two-model system is designed to produce alternative frequencies and can easily be used during emergency situations, even during periods of very active space weather.
Because of the two-model system, the Space Weather Center is able to accurately interpret how space weather impacts high frequency communication being used in disaster relief efforts in Japan. Maps of Japan are updated with real-time communication data specifying which frequencies are best to use for high frequency radio communication.
“During times of disaster management, communication connections are important to maintain,” said W. Kent Tobiska, director of the Space Weather Center at Utah State University. “Our goal is to provide information that allows volunteers assisting with the relief effort to communicate in a timely fashion to best help the people of Japan.”
Maps created by the Space Weather Center can be seen online.
The Space Weather Center was created by the USTAR initiative at Utah State University in 2009. The Space Weather Center develops innovative applications for mitigating space weather in technical systems and is committed to providing operational, real-time products that will help mitigate adverse space weather effects on global communication and navigation systems. Learn more about the Space Weather Center online.
The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s “knowledge economy” and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the state legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area involves funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across the state to promote science, innovation and commercialization activities.
More information is available at the website or follow USTAR on Twitter. For USU USTAR information, visit its website or follow on Twitter.
Writer: Jacoba Mendelkow Poppleton, jacoba.mendelkow@usu.edu
Contact: Kent Tobiska, ktobiska@spacenvironment.net
The USU Space Weather Center is able to accurately interpret how space weather impacts high frequency communication. Maps of Japan are illustrated in this image help identify which frequencies are best to use for high frequency radio communication.
TOPICS
USTAR 64storiesComments and questions regarding this article may be directed to the contact person listed on this page.
