FINAL PROJECT – Space Weather Forecast
Bent Krockman here, with
some terrifying news. The
sun is approaching solar
maximum, and the town of
Fieldspring is in the cross
hairs!
Description – This project culminates the space weather unit. Your group will produce a
space weather forecast that covers a solar storm having the potential to disrupt daily life
on earth. The project will be in one of four potential formats. All presentations need to
address the expectations listed below.
The date for your forecast must be in the future (i.e. March 2, 2013). Be creative!!!!
How might news reporters dress in 2025? Through what medium will their reports reach
viewers? What new technologies might exist that could be affected by the space
weather events being reported?
To assist you, go to www.Spaceweather.com . Check the archives for the famous
Halloween 2003 storm (October 27-31, 2003). Visit each of the days to follow the
progression of the storm. In particular, pay attention to;
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Solar wind speed and density
Daily sun image
X-ray solar flare classification
NOAA forecast – flare and geomagnetic storm probability
Photographs of aurora - particularly on 10/31
What's Up in Space for the coverage of the storm
Click on links to help you review concepts (i.e. explanation of solar wind).
Beware! The information from spaceweather.com is intended to provide you with review
and background information concerning a major space weather event. Do not copy the
data and related stories. Use them as a guide to invent your own storm data and effects.
Be sure your storm is of reasonable magnitude (no blowing the atmosphere off the
planet).
The grading rubric has been provided for your information.
Chuckran/Hill 2007
Project Formats
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Video
PowerPoint
In class presentation
Poster presentation
Other ideas – talk to your teacher
Expectations – the project should address the following:
1. Solar Cycle
a. indicate the solar cycle of your forecast date
b. include solar cycle graph
c. describe the history of this particular solar cycle
2. Sun Spots
a. current number of sun spots
b. size and development of sun spots
c. motion in last several days
d. include graphic
3. Flares/CME’s
a. time frame of event
b. how was event observed
c. class of flare
d. include coronagraph
e. explain direction of CME from coronagraph
f. potential impacts to earth
g. possible precautions
4. Aurora
a. where to look
b. what to look for
c. include graphic of auroral oval
d. explain how they occur
Chuckran/Hill 2007