NOAA, NASA to discuss solar cycle prediction Sept. 15

NOAA and NASA will discuss predictions for the upcoming solar cycle during a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Tracking the solar cycle is a key part of better understanding the sun and mitigating its impacts on human technology and infrastructure.

During the teleconference, experts on the Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel will discuss recent updates in solar cycle progress, and the forecast for the upcoming cycle, Solar Cycle 25.

The sun goes through regular cycles of activity lasting approximately 11 years. During the most active part of the cycle, known as solar maximum, the sun can unleash immense explosions of light, energy, and solar radiation – all of which create conditions known as space weather. Space weather can affect satellites and astronauts in space, as well as communications systems – such as radio and GPS – and power grids on Earth. When the sun is most active, space weather events become more frequent. 

What: Solar cycle media teleconference

When: 1 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 15

Who:

• Doug Biesecker, solar physicist, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center and co-chair, Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel 

• Jake Bleacher, chief exploration scientist, NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate

• Lika Guhathakurta, program scientist, NASA’s Heliophysics Division

• Elsayed Talaat, director, Office of Projects, Planning and Analysis, NOAA’s Satellites  

• Lisa Upton, solar scientist, Space Systems Research Corporation and co-chair, Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel

How:

To participate in the media teleconference, media must provide their names and affiliations to Lina Tran at lina.tran@nasa.gov by 12 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 15. 

The teleconference audio will stream live at: http://www.nasa.gov/live