the science that shields our tech from the sun
in: National Security
Government-funded solar research helps protect the technologies we rely on every day — from smartphones to space missions — by predicting and understanding the Sun’s powerful influence.
The Sun is the reason we’re here — it gives us warmth, energy, and light. But did you know it can also send out powerful storms that can damage satellites, knock out power grids, and endanger astronauts in space? Without Earth’s protective atmosphere and magnetic field, these solar outbursts could harm people and shut down the technologies we depend on every day: GPS, cell phones, airplanes, credit cards, even weather forecasting! That’s why scientists across the country study the Sun in a field called Heliophysics — to understand its behavior, predict its activity, and help keep life running smoothly on Earth and in space.
So how do heliophysicists help protect us from solar storms? By continuously monitoring solar activity with a network of satellites and ground-based observatories, they provide early warnings of incoming solar flares and coronal mass ejections — the main culprits behind space weather disruptions. This real-time information helps agencies like NOAA issue alerts to airlines, GPS companies, and power grid operators, who can then take steps to protect systems from interference or damage. For example, satellites can be powered down or reoriented, flight paths can be adjusted, and sensitive electrical equipment can be safeguarded. These precautions keep our phones working, navigation systems accurate, and financial transactions secure — even during space weather events.
This incredible research effort brings together brilliant minds from across the U.S. — from universities like Stanford, Yale, and the University of Colorado Boulder’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) to national labs and agencies like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Teams in states from California to Maryland, Montana to Florida, and even Hawaii work together to solve the mystery of how the Sun affects our planet. And none of this would be possible without strong government support and funding. Thanks to this investment in science, we can better protect our technology, prepare for space travel, and keep discovering new ways the Sun connects us all. Want to help solve a cosmic puzzle? Heliophysics might be your calling!
- States: CA , CO , MD , NH , NM , GA , NJ , MA , MT , AL , CT , FL , VA , WV , HI , MI , WI , MN , DC , TX
- Organizations: Stanford University , University of Colorado Boulder , University of California, Berkeley , University of California, Santa Cruz , University of California, Los Angeles , Yale University , Boston University , George Mason University , Catholic University of America , University of New Hampshire , Georgia State University , University of Montana , New Mexico State University , National Aeronautics and Space Administration , National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , National Science Foundation , Naval Research Laboratory , Southwest Research Institute , Predictive Science Inc. , Computational Science Inc.
- Topics: Space & Physics , Technology
- Federal Grants:
- Links and further reading: [ link1 | link2 | link3 | link4 ]