Stormy space weather guides aurora tourist routes

BY NOBUYUKI KOBAYASHI, THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

For those no longer content with regular weather news, a "space weather forecast" may be the answer.

The forecasts, offered by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), are posted on the organization's website in Japanese and English.

The NICT, based in Koganei, Tokyo, compiles daily forecasts on data sent from satellites and Earth-based observation points.

The information provided by the center mainly concerns geomagnetically induced currents in outer space that create "space storms" with a potential impact on Earth, such as power supply.

This is the reason utility companies monitor space weather forecasts, according to Shinichi Watari, a research manager at the NICT's Space Environment Group, Applied Electromagnetic Research Center.

Because space storms could also affect satellites and shortwave transmissions, companies involved in space development and amateur radio operators also make use of the space weather information.

Others who regularly rely on the forecasts include people planning trips to northern Europe and North America to see auroras, which are caused by geomagnetic disruptions.

Auroras are best seen when there are stormy space weather conditions.

Watari added that winter is a particularly good time to see auroras.

It is possible to predict solar activity, which triggers space storms, a few months ahead. This enables tourists to give themselves a high possibility of viewing auroras.

"When space travel becomes popular, it will likely become the norm for people to plan their itinerary to avoid space storms," Watari said. "Of course, that is something that will happen a little further into the future."

Space weather forecasts are available at .(IHT/Asahi: May 16,2008)