Space weather prediction

Energy from the Sun impacts the near‐Earth environment to create a myriad of hazards to systems operating in and through space, and even to ground based activities. Costly systems are at risk. Already space storms cause averaged annual losses estimated to exceed $100M. The space weather effects from the severe magnetic storms during this past solar maximum and the recent failure (1994) of the Anik satellite have emphasized the risk. The Solar‐Terrestrial predictions Workshop, held in Ottawa in 1992, brought forecasters, customers and the physics community together in a common forum to present and discuss recent advancements. The proceedings of these meetings [Solar‐Terrestrial Predictions ‐ IV, 1993[ provide a source book of effects and attempts to mitigate those effects.