The US government’s top scientific advisory body has released a new plan to advance our understanding of space physics, with a focus on safeguarding Earth from space weather and supporting human space exploration.
The report, titled “The Next Decade of Discovery in Solar and Space Physics,” outlines a vision for research in the field, building on recent discoveries in the heliosphere – the region around the sun and planets. Associate Professor Allison Jaynes from the University of Iowa was part of the steering committee that developed the plan.
The report identifies three main areas of focus: Sun-Earth-Space, A Laboratory in Space, and New Environments. It also includes guiding questions for researchers to explore over the next decade, as well as a roadmap for increased investment and workforce development.
Backed by NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the plan aims to make progress on critical space weather applications and help achieve key scientific questions. The report’s findings are available online, offering a glimpse into the future of solar and space physics research.
Source: https://physics.uiowa.edu/news/2024/12/jaynes-serves-heliophysics-decadal-survey-committee