Experts to talk about space weather

Paris, 23 Oct 2002

The University of Greifswald and ESA, the European Space Agency, are jointly participating in European Science and Technology Week by organising a "Space Weather Forum" on 4 November at the Zeiss-Grossplanetarium in Berlin, Germany.

European Science and Technology Week is an ongoing initiative of the European Commission. During the week of 4-10 November, science-related projects will be presented all over Europe.

During the Forum in Berlin experts will talk about "space weather" and explain effects it can produce, such as failures in electronic equipment, immediate and long-term hazards for astronauts and aircraft crews, failures in telecommunication and navigation satellites, electricity power cuts or failures in railway control systems. Such questions as "How does space weather influence our own terrestrial weather and climate?", "Is there a connection between space weather and natural disasters?" and "Are mobile phones affected by space weather?" will be addressed.

Members of the public will be able to interact with the experts.

Media representatives wishing to attend are requested to complete the attached reply form no later than 24 October 2002 and to return it to:

Mr D.B. Hermann
Zeiss-Grossplanetarium Berlin
Prenzlauer Allee 80
10405 Berlin, Germany
Fax :+49.30.425.12.52

For further information concerning the event, please contact:

Dr F. Jansen
University of Greifswald
Tel :+49.3834.864.774
Fax :+49.3834.864701

ESA Media Relations
Tel :+33.(0)1.5369.7155
Fax :+33.(0)1.5369.7690

European Space Agency
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/index.ht ml