Outcome 2.2: Sun

Understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system.

Other Information:

Earth and the other planets of our solar system reside in the extended atmosphere of the Sun. This extended atmosphere, called the heliosphere, comprises a plasma “soup” of electrified and magnetized matter entwined with penetrating radiation and energetic particles. We experience space weather -- disturbances in the plasma -- from solar magnetic activity such as flares. Space weather effects range from awe-inspiring aurorae to widespread power and communication blackouts. Our heliophysics missions study the Sun, heliosphere, and planetary environments as elements of a single interconnected system. By analyzing the connections among the Sun, solar wind, and planetary space environments, we uncover fundamental physical processes that occur throughout the universe. Understanding the connections between the Sun and its planets allows us to predict the impacts of solar variability on human technological systems and to safeguard human and robotic space explorers outside the protective cocoon of Earth's atmosphere. The Nation has never been so well prepared to monitor the onset of an upcoming solar cycle. NASA maintains a fleet of heliophysics spacecraft to monitor the Sun, geospace, and the space environment between the Sun and Earth, and we collaborate with other U.S. agencies and other nations' space agencies to enhance this capability. To advance space weather prediction capabilities, we make our vast research data sets and models available online to the public, industry, academia, and other civil and military interests. We also provide publicly available sites for citizen science and space situational awareness through various cell phone and e-tablet applications. Scientific priorities for future heliophysics missions are guided by decadal surveys produced by the National Academies. The next decadal survey for heliophysics will be completed in 2012.

Stakeholder(s):

• National Academies


• U.S. Agencies


• Space Agencies

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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