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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
1
Summary
From the interior of the Sun to the upper atmosphere and near-space environment of Earth, and outward
to a region far beyond Pluto where the Sun’s influence wanes, advances during the past decade in space
physics and solar physics—the disciplines NASA refers to as heliophysics—have yielded spectacular insights
into the phenomena that affect our home in space. This report, from the National Research Council’s (NRC’s)
Committee on a Decadal Strategy for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), is the second NRC decadal
survey in heliophysics. Building on the research accomplishments realized over the past decade, the report
presents a program of basic and applied research for the period 2013-2022 that will improve scientific
understanding of the mechanisms that drive the Sun’s activity and the fundamental physical processes
underlying near-Earth plasma dynamics; determine the physical interactions of Earth’s atmospheric layers
in the context of the connected Sun-Earth system; and greatly enhance the capability to provide realistic
and specific forecasts of Earth’s space environment that will better serve the needs of society. Although the
recommended program is directed primarily to NASA (Science Mission Directorate–Heliophysics Division)
and the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Directorate for Geosciences–Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences) for action, the report also recommends actions by other federal agencies, especially the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and those parts of NOAA charged with the day-to-day
(operational) forecast of space weather. In addition to the recommendations included in this summary,
related recommendations are presented in the main text of Part I of this report.
RECENT PROGRESS: SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES FROM THE PAST DECADE
As summarized in Chapter 2 and discussed in greater detail in Chapters 8-10, the disciplines of solar
and space physics have made remarkable advances over the past decade—many of which have come from
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
1
Summary
From the interior of the Sun to the upper atmosphere and near-space environment of Earth, and outward
to a region far beyond Pluto where the Sun’s influence wanes, advances during the past decade in space
physics and solar physics—the disciplines NASA refers to as heliophysics—have yielded spectacular insights
into the phenomena that affect our home in space. This report, from the National Research Council’s (NRC’s)
Committee on a Decadal Strategy for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), is the second NRC decadal
survey in heliophysics. Building on the research accomplishments realized over the past decade, the report
presents a program of basic and applied research for the period 2013-2022 that will improve scientific
understanding of the mechanisms that drive the Sun’s activity and the fundamental physical processes
underlying near-Earth plasma dynamics; determine the physical interactions of Earth’s atmospheric layers
in the context of the connected Sun-Earth system; and greatly enhance the capability to provide realistic
and specific forecasts of Earth’s space environment that will better serve the needs of society. Although the
recommended program is directed primarily to NASA (Science Mission Directorate–Heliophysics Division)
and the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Directorate for Geosciences–Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences) for action, the report also recommends actions by other federal agencies, especially the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and those parts of NOAA charged with the day-to-day
(operational) forecast of space weather. In addition to the recommendations included in this summary,
related recommendations are presented in the main text of Part I of this report.
RECENT PROGRESS: SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES FROM THE PAST DECADE
As summarized in Chapter 2 and discussed in greater detail in Chapters 8-10, the disciplines of solar
and space physics have made remarkable advances over the past decade—many of which have come from