space weather forecast
Culture and Sports / Information and Communications / Outer Space / Society / Technology

A forecast designed to predict the arrival of large doses of radiation and magnetic storms caused by solar flares. Solar flares, released from the surface of the Sun, can have various harmful effects not only on the human body, but on computers and other sensitive equipment as well. Space weather forecasting aims to predict these before they happen and inform people of when they will occur via television, radio, and the Internet. When a flare does occur, scientists can estimate the size of the flare and any effects the resulting solar wind might have by observing the wavelength and time intervals of the radiation released during the several stages of the flare, and issue reports and warnings as necessary.

Shield warnings are issued during times of intense radiation, with a colony's outer walls and block shields lowered for protection. All extravehicular space activity and the takeoff of space flights are prohibited during this time.