|project overview > introduction
Solar MURI is a collaborative project studying magnetic eruptions
on the Sun and their effects on the Earth's space environment.
("MURI" stands for Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative,
a research program funded by DoD.) The aim of the project is to improve our
ability to predict space weather from solar observations.
The project will construct a series of physically connected,
observationally tested models of the Sun and its interplanetary
environment. These models will allow us to use observations
of the Sun's atmosphere and magnetic configuration to determine:
|A Solar Prominence Observed by the EIT Instrument on SOHO
Ultimately, our goal is to provide several extra days of notice prior to
an SEP event or geomagnetic storm.
- When a magnetic eruption is imminent
- If that magnetic eruption will impact the Earth's space environment
- Whether this will result in a Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) bombardment
and/or a geomagnetic storm
A number of intermediate goals must be achieved to complete the Solar MURI
project. These are summarized below:
- Measure the solar magnetic field with sufficient accuracy and coverage to
discern which magnetic properties are the key to determining whether
eruptions will occur
- Understand the physics governing magnetic eruptions on the Sun sufficiently
well to construct realistic numerical simulations
- Simulate the interplanetary propagation of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) out
to 1.0 AU with sufficient accuracy to construct accurate models of conditions
upstream of the Earth
- Couple models of the Sun's magnetic lower atmosphere, lower corona,
upper corona, and solar wind in such a way that a model of an unstable
magnetic configuration on the Sun can be propagated out to the Earth
- Verify the performance of these coupled models with test
cases based on observed magnetic eruptions, their interplanetary disturbances
(Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections - ICMEs), the SEP events, and the general
levels of geomagnetic response
- Years 1 - 3: Collect the necessary observations. Develop the numerical
modelling codes and the interfaces between these codes.
- Years 4 - 5: Apply the coupled simulation codes to a set of observed
CMEs. Evaluate their performance in determining the consequences
of solar observations.