Speaker
Description
Effectively communicating space weather information is the culmination of the entire chain of observation, analysis, modeling, and forecasting. Web-based platforms have become essential for delivering this information in a way that is both accessible and actionable for a range of users—from forecasters to researchers to students. This presentation introduces H3lioViz, a browser-based model visualization and analysis tool designed to enhance operational CME forecasting and decision-making.
Available publicly at https://swx-trec.com/h3lioviz, H3lioViz combines a powerful 3D heliospheric visualization engine with a streamlined, user-friendly interface that requires no software installation or user login. The tool supports interactive exploration of real-time and historical outputs from solar wind models run by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), NASA’s Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC), and the UK Met Office's Space Weather Operations Center (MOSWOC). By deploying the containerized application in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform, H3lioViz keeps both data and compute resources in the cloud, eliminating traditional bottlenecks such as large data transfers and local processing. Users can point to different data cubes to load and visualize model results with minimal latency. Application settings and selections are embedded directly in the URL, enabling saving and sharing to speed analysis and collaboration.
H3lioViz demonstrates how user-driven design and modern cloud technologies can support both operational workflows and community engagement through co-production. Co-production fosters rapid feedback loops between end-users and developers, accelerating improvements and ensuring that evolving user needs—from national forecasters to domain researchers—are directly reflected in the tool’s functionality. This case study demonstrates the value of open access, interactivity, and scalability in the delivery of space weather services, and highlights how innovative deployment strategies can enhance communication, collaboration, and preparedness across the space weather enterprise.
