Summary
Space weather is the name given to variations in the plasma speed and density, the solar magnetic field and the radiation density in the near Earth space environment and the consequences of those variations. The consequences can be quite dramatic and have significant economic impact. To understand space weather it is first necessary to understand the processes generating the high-speed solar plasma and its dynamic interaction with the Earth. The development of the solar wind, its embedded magnetic field and its propagation to the Earth is described. The interaction of this plasma with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere and the range of effects that result are presented. These effects include but are not limited to: electricity grid disruption; telecommunication disruption; increased pipeline joint corrosion; satellite memory failures, surface charging, solar cell degradation and increased atmospheric drag; navigation disruption; increased aircraft passenger radiation exposure; astronaut radiation hazards; and the benign but beautiful aurorae. Many of these effects have significant economic impact and reliable forecasting of space weather storms is highly desirable. The quality of space weather predictions has improved dramatically over the past five to ten years but still needs to be developed much further. The United States of America has developed a national strategy of research and development into space weather and its prediction and the European Space Agency is presently considering a similar strategy. In Australia there is no coordinated space weather research plan. Australia has a significant role to play in both space weather research and prediction. Instruments at the Australian Antarctic bases, at Macquarie Island, in Tasmania and mainland Australia are essential to space weather research and prediction. Australia’s geographic isolation has made it heavily reliant on satellite technology and this dependence will only increase in the future. Evidence is mounting that the space era may have been an unusually quiet time for space weather activity and that a greater level of disruption may be possible in the future. It is in our national interest to develop a space weather strategy that optimises national research, ensures rapid distribution of observational data for space weather forecasting and develops appropriate forecast warning procedures for industry and government use.