A New Sun Born in Computer Wears the Right Look for Eclipse

Introduction

Panelists

Resources

New NASA and National Science Foundation-funded research has produced the most true-to-life computer simulation ever made of our sun's multimillion-degree atmosphere, as confirmed by actual observations during the March 29 solar eclipse.This modeling effort marks the beginning of a new era in space weather prediction, showing that computer models can in fact describe the physics of the sun's active outer atmosphere, also known as the corona. The better scientists understand this region, the better prepared they are to understand and forecast space weather events and protect astronauts, satellites and communications and power systems on Earth.+ Craig DeForest, American Astronomical Society/Solar Physics Division Press Officer+ Zoran Mikic, Senior Research Scientist, Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif.+ Joe Davila, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.+ Janet Luhmann, Senior Space Fellow, University of California, Berkeley, Calif.

Contact Information

Dwayne Brown

NASA Headquarters

Washington, DC

Phone: 202/358-1726 Nancy Neal

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, Maryland

Phone: 301/286-0039 Bill Steigerwald

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, Maryland

Phone: 301/286-5017 Cheryl Dybas

National Science Foundation

Arlington, Virginia

Phone: 703/292-7734

Event Information

The NASA Science Update will take place on June 26, 2006, at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Reporters should call 1-888-396-9926 and use the passcode "Space Weather" to listen and ask questions for this media teleconference. The event will be recorded and available for playback through Monday, July 3 by calling 1-888-562-0227. If you have any questions, please notify one of the contacts listed above.