The National Radar Research Agency (RRA) said Thursday it will start offering daily three-day forecasts on space weather activities for the general public.

The state-run agency said the alert service will be launched Friday with information to be offered through the Internet homepage of its Korean Space Weather Center (www.spaceweather.go.kr). Users can also receive data by e-mail or mobile phone text messages.

By monitoring and forecasting the Earth’s surrounding space environment, which is mainly affected by solar activities such as flares, the RRA aims to allow individuals and businesses to prepare for disruptions in communications and radio transmissions.

A solar explosion that emits X-rays and high energy protons can reach the Earth’s atmosphere in eight minutes and can disrupt satellite communications, shortwave radio transmissions and global positioning system services.

The space center started a test service three times a week from October 2011.

In addition to its daily three-day prediction service, the agency will provide 27-day forecasts every week.

The RRA said it decided to step up its advanced warnings ahead of 2013, when solar activities are expected to rise sharply. 

(Yonhap News)