By Editor on Feb 17, 2011 in Community News
YEREVAN — The ability to forecast space weather storms is vital for the security of space based electronic systems as well as the power grid delivering power to homes and industry. Armenia’s Cosmic Ray Division is expanding its network to monitor and forecast space weather events.
The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of Yerevan’s Alikhanyan Physics Institute recently announced the expansion of its Space Environment Viewing and Analysis Network (SEVAN) into India. The SEVAN system consists of an internationally networked array of terrestrial cosmic ray detection systems at middle to low latitudes. Data from these installations is sent via Internet to CRD’s research center in Yerevan where it is analyzed and shared with international research partners throughout the world.
The SEVAN network aims to improve fundamental research studying the mechanisms of cosmic ray particle acceleration in the vicinity of the sun and in other space environments to advance the Space Weather alert systems. New types of particle detectors, invented by CRD scientists and deployed within the SEVAN network, simultaneously measure changing fluxes of most species of secondary cosmic ray particles. Piecing this information together from world wide SEVAN installations, including precise timing information, allows scientists to predict dangerous solar radiation storms tens of minutes before their arrival from the sun. SEVAN’s data also allows scientists to forecast damaging geomagnetic storms hours before their arrival. These storms, resulting from huge clouds of plasma traveling from the sun towards the earth at speeds up to 4.5 million miles per hour, can cause extensive damage to communication systems, power grids and pipelines.
The first four SEVAN modules became operational at CRD’s Aragats Space Environmental Center on the slopes of Armenia’s Mount Aragats. In 2009 additional SEVAN installations were deployed in Croatia and Bulgaria. In the fall of 2010 a SEVAN detector was installed in the Remote Sensing Applications Laboratory, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. This year’s plans call for a SEVAN unit to be installed in Slovakia.
Reliable forecasts of the major geomagnetic and radiation storms are of great importance due to the danger they pose to major space-based systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and communication satellites. Radiation storms also pose a radiation hazard to astronauts in space and crews and passengers aboard aircraft.
For further information visit www.crdfriends.org.
David | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
The CRD is *vitally* important to keep talented scientists in Armenia.
No modern country,and especially one surrounded by Turks, can survive without scientists. Support CRD!
LMK | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
The Cosmic Ray Division of Armenia produces some of the most remarkable work in the world, and with very few resources.
Imagine what they could do with our financial assistance.
Anahid | Feb 23, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for publishing this article.
I share David’s sentiment.
David, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us via our site: http://www.crdfriends.org
Hovhannes | Feb 23, 2011 | Reply
CRD and SEVAN project’s success is the key to international recognition for the telented Armenian scientist in Armenia. They deserve diaspora Armenians gererous support.
rita | Feb 23, 2011 | Reply
these scientists accomplish so much on a shoe string budget. Support the CRD scientists so they can continue their amazing work on top of Mt. Aragadz.
Takoui | Feb 23, 2011 | Reply
It is a great pride to know that Armenian scientists in Armenia, against all economic constraints, put together their talents and have reached into the international scientific arena in a leadership role. Your support encourages the Armenian brilliant minds to use their talent to explore the outer edges of the universe, learn about our galaxy, and research solar effects on the space environment around our planet. We have an immense opportunity to support CRD’s Space Education program in Armenia. Support CRD.
Tarara | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
Thank you to CRD, it’s dedicated scientists and workers, and those throughout the world who support it.
Lucy Grace Yaldezian | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
Glad to see you covering the important work CRD is doing. Hopefully your article will help attract more financial support.
DOjakian | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
The CRD is doing great work. Their expansion shows the capacity the scientists have to make an impact on vital research. They need our support.
Hasmig Cingoz | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
Abrees Takoui!
I share Takou’s statememt. I was there last summer. It was amazing to see how they work!
We all have to support CRD. It is our honor!
Ruben | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
David,
CRD and it’s valuable projects are very important to Armenia and the Diaspora.
On behalf of the Armenian Enginers and Scientists of America (AESA), I would like to thank you for your publication.
Anahid | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
Thanks LMK for your comments. It is incouraging. Please feel free to contact us via http://www.crdfriends.org Best wishes, Anahid
Anahid | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
Wow, I am really energized by all these good wishes and comments. Many of you I know, some of you I don’t know. Please feel free to contact us via http://www.crdfriends.org to introduce yourselves.