The Space Weather Monitoring War Room at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, with a combination of data sources including neutron detections corresponding to the incoming cosmic rays, the IceCube project for detecting neutrinos, and the Geophysical Institute aurora forecast for auroral analysis. Photo courtesy Chiang Mai University
The Space Weather Monitoring War Room at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, with a combination of data sources including neutron detections corresponding to the incoming cosmic rays, the IceCube project for detecting neutrinos, and the Geophysical Institute aurora forecast for auroral analysis. Photo courtesy Chiang Mai University
Suwicha Wannawichian of Chiang Mai University, Thailand, explains the data displayed on the monitors to young researchers and graduate students. She was inviting them to join space physics research. Photo courtesy Chiang Mai University
Suwicha Wannawichian of Chiang Mai University, Thailand, explains the data displayed on the monitors to young researchers and graduate students. She was inviting them to join space physics research. Photo courtesy Chiang Mai University
A group of elementary and junior high school students visiting Chiang Mai University in Thailand learn about space weather. The photograph was taken during the Science Day exhibition at the Department of Physics and Materials Science between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, 2023. Photo courtesy Chiang Mai University
A group of elementary and junior high school students visiting Chiang Mai University in Thailand learn about space weather. The photograph was taken during the Science Day exhibition at the Department of Physics and Materials Science between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, 2023. Photo courtesy Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai University President Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, center, in purple shirt, visited the Space Weather Monitoring War Room. Dr. Wongratanaphisan (3rd from left) is the acting executive director of the Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Dr. Komonjinda (4th from the left) is the PI for space weather research, Dr. Wannawichian (far right) is working on auroral analysis, and Dr. Nuntiyakul (3rd from right) is lead researcher for cosmic ray and neutrino observations. Photo courtesy CMU
Chiang Mai University President Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, center, in purple shirt, visited the Space Weather Monitoring War Room. Dr. Wongratanaphisan (3rd from left) is the acting executive director of the Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Dr. Komonjinda (4th from the left) is the PI for space weather research, Dr. Wannawichian (far right) is working on auroral analysis, and Dr. Nuntiyakul (3rd from right) is lead researcher for cosmic ray and neutrino observations. Photo courtesy CMU

GI aurora forecast a hit at Chiang Mai University

October 20, 2023

The GI Public Information office received a particularly interesting email last week.

“I am Suwicha Wannawichian, a faculty member from Chiang Mai University, Thailand. I am working on the auroral analysis corresponding to the magnetospheric data for my research. To introduce our research field to the general public, we would like to share your aurora forecast from the website on a monitor, adjacent to our laboratory. We respect your kind contributions and very informative presentations.

“Thus, on the display monitor, please kindly advise how we should give credit to your data. Thank you very much for your kind consideration. Your contribution to the community is greatly appreciated.”

Of course we immediately responded that we’d be honored! We asked Dr. Wannawichian if they would be kind enough to send us some photographs of the monitor installation we could share with the GI community.

“Please see the attachments for the photographs of the monitor near our laboratory,” Wannawichian replied. “There is a combination of monitors, e.g., the displaying of neutron detections corresponding to the incoming cosmic rays, the Ice cube project for detecting neutrinos, and the AURORA FORECAST relating to my research of auroral analysis. The monitors are appreciated and complemented by young students, research staff, and the chief academic officers (including Chiangmai University President).

“Thank you very much for your excellent work. We greatly appreciate your contribution.”

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Since it was established by an Act of Congress in 1946, scientists at the Geophysical Institute have studied geophysical processes from the center of the Earth to the surface of the sun and beyond, turning data and observations into information useful for state, Arctic and national priorities.

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