Search

In the domain of space science, numerous ground-based and space-borne data of various phenomena have been accumulating rapidly, making analysis and scientific interpretation challenging. However, recent trends in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) have been shown to be promising in the extraction of information or knowledge discovery from these extensive data sets. Coincidentally, preparing these data for use as inputs to the AI algorithms, referred to as AI-readiness, is one of the outstanding challenges in leveraging AI in space science. Preparation of AI-ready data includes, among other aspects: 1) collection (accessing and downloading) of appropriate data representing the various physical parameters associated with the phenomena under study from different repositories; 2) addressing data formats such as conversion from one format to another, data gaps, quality flags and labeling; 3) standardizing metadata and keywords in accordance with NASA archive requirements or other defined standards; 4) processing of raw data such as data normalization, detrending, and data modeling; and 5) documentation of technical aspects such as processing steps, operational assumptions, uncertainties, and instrument profiles. Making all existing data AI-ready within a decade is impractical and data from future missions and investigations exacerbates this. This reveals the urgency to set the standards and start implementing them now. This article presents our perspective on the AI-readiness of space science data and mitigation strategies including definition of AI-readiness for AI applications; prioritization of data sets, storage, and accessibility; and identifying the responsible entity (agencies, private sector, or funded individuals) to undertake the task.

This special issue of the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics is devoted to research into high speed solar wind streams (HSSs) and their effects on the region of near-Earth space commonly known as ‘geospace’. Interest in the effects of HSSs has increased during the last solar cycle and, following the successful meeting focusing on corotating solar wind streams in Manaus, Brazil (Tsurutani et al., 2006), we recognised the need for further work on the topic, with particular focus on HSSs and their effects in the inner magnetosphere, ionosphere, and neutral atmosphere. As a result the High Speed Solar Wind Streams and Geospace Interactions (HSS–GI) Workshop was held at Hilltop, St. Martin's College in Ambleside, UK, from 2 to 7 September, 2007 (Kavanagh and Denton, 2007; Denton et al., 2008 M.H. Denton, J.E. Borovsky, R.B. Horne, R.L. McPherron, S.K. Morley and B.T. Tsurutani, High speed solar wind streams: a call for key research, EOS Trans. AGU 89 (7) (2008), pp. 62–63. Full Text via CrossRef | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (7)Denton et al., 2009), sponsored by the Department of Communication Systems at Lancaster University. The majority of the work presented in this special issue was prompted by discussion and interaction at the workshop. It is indeed an indication of the importance of HSSs that the papers in this issue cover the entire region from the Sun and solar wind, through the magnetosphere, and into the ionosphere, thermosphere, and down to the stratosphere. It is hoped that this research will stimulate more understanding, appreciation, and research, into these important drivers of physical phenomena within geospace.