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Solar research at the John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) aims to
understand the fundamental physics that govern solar activity. The
tools are telescopes, models, and interplanetary sampling of solar
ejecta. The work is relevant to APL?s mission because solar energetic
protons disable satellites and endanger astronauts. Solar activity
also causes geomagnetic storms, which can lead to communications
disruptions, electric power network problems, satellite orbit shifts
and, sometimes, satellite failure. Predicting storm conditions
requires understanding solar magnetism and its fluctuations. APL
scientists have made major contributions to solar activity research
and have taken the lead in developing a variety of new solar research
tools. They are now starting work on the Solar Terrestrial Relations
Observatory, a major space mission. (Keywords: Magnetic storms, Solar
flares, Solar magnetism, Solar physics, Solar telescopes.)
Website: "http://sd-www.jhuapl.edu/FlareGenesis/"
[Summary provided by John Hopkins University.]
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