Aurora Watch

Predicting Solar Storms

Space weather is hard to forecast so far in advance, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issues a weekly forecast of solar activity. The SWPC also provides a 30-minute forecast of aurora activity.

NOAA Solar Cycle 25 Update

The Sun is currently in solar cycle 25, which began in December 2019. Solar maximum, the peak of the sun's activity cycle, is expected to occur around 2025. During solar maximum, the Sun is more likely to produce solar storms, which can disrupt satellite communications, power grids, and other infrastructure.

SBIR Program Supports Space Weather Technology

In 2019 and 2020, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program selected ten proposals for Phase I funding to develop new space weather technologies. These technologies could help to improve forecasting and warning systems, and mitigate the effects of space storms.