TERRESTRIAL METEOROLOGY

SPACE WEATHER (METEOROLOGY)

Definition

Study of the atmospheric conditions for the (terrestial) weather forecast.

Study of the "conditions on the Sun and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere that can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life or health".

Impacts on Human Activities

• Tourisme, Outdoor activities

• Agriculture

• Buildings and Civil constructions

• Transports

• Natural disasters

• Health

• Telecommunications

• Electricity distribution

• Trans-continental flights

• Oil and minerals exploration 

• Tourisme (auroras)

• Health

Observed Bodies

• Sun (energy injection and transfers, UV rays)

• Atmosphere (composition, density, winds)

• Water cycle (clouds, rain, snow, evapo-traspiration) 

• Pollution (dusts, chemical and organic elements)

• Cycles (seasons, day/night)

• Surface exchanges (ground/air, see/air)

• Sun (activity : radiation and coronal mass ejections)

• Earth magnetism (storms)

• Ionosphere, Thermosphere

• Inter-planetary medium

• Solar cycle (of 11 years)   

Principal Physical Parametres

• Atmospheric pressure 

• Air temperature

• Humidity

• Air density

• Speed and wind direction

• Sunspots number and types (index : "Sunspot Number")

• Radio solar flux (index : "F10.7")

• Geo-magnetism (indexes "K" and "A")