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OverviewWe have identified three Challenges that teams of scientists will address using the Heliophysics Integrated Observatory (HELIO). The Challenges include important scientific questions and technological tasks that have previously been difficult to address due to the limitations of existing software and data sources. HELIO now provides an advanced system of tools that should make it possible to address these questions.Challenge 1: Heliospheric variability over the solar cycleLeaders: Shaun Bloomfield (HELIO) and (TBC)Description: The focus of this Challenge is the statistical study of the occurrence of features (e.g., coronal holes, active regions, filaments) and events (e.g., interaction regions, energetic particle events, ground level events) throughout the Heliosphere. Particular attention will be spent on the association between the occurrence of features/events in the HELIO catalogues and typical solar cycle proxies (e.g., the international sunspot number, F10.7 radio flux), as well as the relationship between different types of events. Challenge 2: The 100 CME challengeLeaders: Baptiste Cecconi (HELIO) and (TBC)Description: This Challenge will focus on using HELIO to study the origin, propagation and impacts of a large number of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in the Heliosphere. HELIO provides an interface that allows researchers to track active regions as they evolve and produce solar flares and CMEs. Once launched, CMEs can be tracked in coronagraph and heliospheric images. Their impacts throughout the Heliosphere can then be measured using in-situ instruments from a number of spacecraft throughout the Heliosphere. The aim of this Challenge is to use HELIO to track a large number of CMEs (e.g., 100) from the surface of the Sun to their effects through interplanetary space and at the planets. Challenge 3: HELIO as a tool for space weatherLeaders: Peter Gallagher (HELIO), Mauro Messerotti (HELIO) and (TBC)Description: HELIO provides an infrastructure that can be used to better understand the effects that solar flares, CMEs, Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs), and high speed solar wind streams have on Earth and the near-Earth environment. To date, HELIO has not been tested as a tool for these purposes. The aim of this Challenge is to use HELIO to study a number of periods of elevated space weather at Earth in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses. A period of particular interest are the days surrounding September 24, 2012, during which there were a number of adverse space weather effects measured at Earth.
Last modified: RDB, 23 June 2012 |
