The latest Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics just dropped, and it is filled with goodies ranging from new missions to plans for space weather.
The report comes from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and it outlines top priorities for space agencies and affiliated institutions in better understanding the solar system in the next decade.
The report draws on 450 papers from the science community as well as other events including presentations and town halls.
This year’s report covered the gamut of solar and space physics, including how to better track the dynamic environment of our solar system and better understand the star at its heart.
As we Earthlings ramp up exploration of our solar system (and, dare I say, beyond?
There are many exciting things in the most recent Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics, from plans for space weather to new missions.
The report, which was produced by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, lists the top goals that space agencies and related organizations should focus on in the upcoming ten years in order to better understand the solar system. The report is based on 450 scientific community papers and other events, such as town halls and presentations.
Decadal surveys are significant because they provide a broad range of scientists with a description of the science goals. Finding Earth-like exoplanets, comprehending the densest objects in the universe, and advancing our knowledge of the formation and evolution of galaxies were listed as the top astronomical priorities by the academies in 2021.
In the subsequent year, the planetary science and astrobiology report came to the conclusion that the top priority mission should be a probe of Uranus. A report released by the academies last year placed a prolonged human presence off-Earth on the docket.
The report this year addressed a wide range of topics related to solar and space physics, such as how to better monitor the ever-changing environment of our solar system and comprehend the star at its core.
A spacecraft that would image the Sun at its poles and a constellation of satellites that would monitor the space environment close to Earth were to be launched as part of the mission, according to the report. The Next Generation Global Oscillations Network, a solar observatory network run by the National Science Foundation, was named the top-priority large construction project in the report.
In an academies release, committee co-chair Stephen Fuselier, acting vice president of the Southwest Research Institute’s space science division, stated that a failure to advance solar and space physics over the next ten years could have catastrophic effects on society, partly because it would hinder our capacity to anticipate and counteract potentially damaging space weather impacts.
Research into these areas is crucial, Fuselier continued, “even though significant progress will require modest additional investments from the government.”. The field’s future is outlined in this report, which also helps to protect a wide range of domestic industries and pave the way for humanity to develop into a true spacefaring civilization. “.”.
Even those of us on Earth are impacted by the dynamic phenomenon of space weather; this year, our planet was struck by multiple powerful geomagnetic storms that caused electronic disruptions and auroras worldwide. However, even if shielded, equipment outside of the relatively safe cocoon of our planet’s magnetosphere may be severely affected by such weather events in space.
Robyn Millan, an astronomer at Dartmouth College and co-chair of the committee that wrote the report, stated in an academies release that the field of solar and space physics is at a turning point and that in the years to come, we have the chance to pursue some really exciting science—both for the sake of science and to achieve major improvements to our understanding of things like space weather.
Governing bodies must quickly specify the kinds of missions and the financial resources needed to take those bold next steps as we Earthlings increase our exploration of our solar system (and, dare I say it, beyond?). The report gives the public a reason to be enthusiastic about those goals and gives them a north star.
