Radiant sun's dance
Mysteries of space unfold
Heliophysics grace.
The pale blue dot is my home
Earth. The only planet we know of that harbors life.
Do you use any of these?
You can probably guess why already…
Not only the living forces, even our technology is very much dependent on the sun’s whims. Hundreds of years ago, technology was too primitive to be disturbed by space weather. Today, we rely on countless devices that are vulnerable to a solar storm. Think of all of the material you use that requires an electrical current: computers, televisions, cellphones, etc. Solar weather events have been occurring for millions of years, but they didn’t directly affect humans until recently.
Voltage fluctuations become quite commonplace during these times.
You’ve experienced everyday space weather if you have flown a commercial airline!
An Extreme Event: Carrington 1859
A Solar Superstorm Narrowly Missed Earth in July 2012
If this storm had hit Earth, we would still be picking up the pieces." --Dan Baker, 2014 Space Weather Workshop
"Had it hit Earth, it probably would have been like the big one in 1859. The effect today [on] our modern technologies would have been tremendous.“ -- Janet Luhmann, 2014 UC Berkeley press release.
The auroras are perhaps the most beautiful manifestations of space weather on Earth
Hence, a brand new branch of physics appears!
I understood the importance of Space-Weather and collaborated with fellow physicists to form an entirely new branch of physics : Heliophysics.
So, now you know why I call myself...
Sheliophysicist
Through life, from joining NASA Headquarters in 1998, one magnetic solar cycle ago, my entire journey has been fueled by my core love for the sun, taking me in pursuit of understanding space-weather and space climate and making everyone aware of the importance of Heliophysics. Today studying Heliophysics isn’t just a choice anymore, it’s a necessity.