South Pole Neutron Detectors Given New Role in Predicting Space Weather

sciencehabit writes "A team of researchers has found a way to forecast the intensity of solar storms by monitoring neutron sensors at the South Pole. The approach could help give advanced warning to astronauts and satellites, which would otherwise be irradiated and fried, respectively. Smaller versions of these sensors could one day be standard equipment on interplanetary spacecraft."

Comments

Sometimes a neutron is just a neutron.

[FatLittleMonkey]

UD Bartol Neutron Monitor program. http://neutronm.bartol.udel.edu/Welcome.html

Detects high energy neutrons produced by high-speed protons colliding with the Earth's upper atmosphere. TFA is that they have figured out the specific signal for high-energy solar flares.

(Last 30 days.)

Re:Predicting space weather?

[jo_ham]

Great idea, because they've totally mastered predicting the weather here on earth...

Since they haven't mastered it, it's the perfect time to just quit, right?