Read all Gene's columns to keep up with the changing world of science. If so, ScienceMaster is always looking for articles and items of interest. As the Sun's stormy season approaches its zenith, solar scientists have the best seat in the house, using the largest coordinated fleet of spacecraft and ground observatories ever assembled to observe these angry outbursts of solar radiation and predict the impact of turbulent space weather. According to scientists from NASA and NOAA, the Sun is near the peak of its 11-year cycle of activity. By combining sophisticated new instruments and time-tested older ones, researchers believe their predictions and warnings related to space weather events are becoming more accurate and timely.
Solar storms can damage spacecraft and interfere with power systems on Earth.
More information . There is a lot of activity going on in the International Space Station and much more to come. While the Expedition 1 crew inhabits the International Space Station, three space shuttle missions will visit the station to continue on-orbit construction. The first mission was STS-97 on Flight 4A , which delivered U.S. solar arrays to add to the station's power capability. The next mission will be STS-98 on Flight 5A will deliver and install the US Laboratory Destiny in early 2001.