Planned missions to the moon need to hurry up to avoid hitting one of the busiest periods for extreme space weather, according to scientists conducting the most in-depth ever research on solar storm timing.
Scientists at the University of Reading studied 150 years of space weather data to look into patterns in the timing of the most extreme events which can be extremely dangerous to astronauts and satellites. This new research on space weather timing allows predictions to be made for extreme space weather. Therefore, it could be used to plan the timing of activities, which could be affected by extreme space weather, for example, major space missions.
The researchers found for the first time that extreme space weather events are more likely to occur early in or late solar cycles-such as the one just starting. The findings may have influences on the NASA-led Artemis mission. It plans to make humans return to the moon in 2024, but can be put off to the late 2020s.
Professor Mathew Owens, a space physicist at the University of Reading, said, “Until now, the most extreme space weather events were thought to be random in their timing. Though there is no set pattern of the events, this research suggests they are more predictable.”
In the new study, the scientists used a new method applying statistical modelling to storm timing for the first time. Previous research generally focused on how big extreme space weather events can be, based on observations of previous events. Predicting their timing is far more difficult because extreme events are rare, so there is relatively little historic data to identify patterns. The findings suggest that any major planned space missions , which is beyond the next five years, will have to consider the higher probability of extreme space weather late in the present solar cycle between 2026 and 2030.
8. What can we learn about the study from the first two paragraphs?
A. It has lasted just 150 years.
B. It doesn't refer to space weather data.
C. It shows space weather has no effect on astronauts.
D. It makes it possible to predict extreme space weather.
9. Why might the NASA-led Artemis mission be put off?
A. To research solar cycles. B. To avoid effects of space weather.
C. To meet the needs of the astronauts. D. To make humans return to Earth in 2024.
10. What does the underlined word “random“ in paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. Irregular. B. Easy. C. Limited. D. Changeless.
11. What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. The study is useful for future space missions.
B. The planned space missions should be put off.
C. Extreme space weather will happen before 2026.
D. Previous observations make no difference to the study.
【答案】8. D 9. B 10. A 11. A
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇说明文。对太阳风暴时间进行最深入研究的科学家表示，计划中的月球任务需要加快速度，以避免碰上极端空间天气最繁忙的时期之一。文章介绍了一项关于预测极端空间天气的研究以及这项研究的意义。
【8题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中“This new research on space weather timing allows predictions to be made for extreme space weather.(这项关于空间天气时间的新研究可以预测极端空间天气)”可知，预测极端空间天气成为可能。故选D。
【9题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段中“The researchers found for the first time that extreme space weather events are more likely to occur early in or late solar cycles-such as the one just starting. The findings may have influences on the NASA-led Artemis mission.(研究人员首次发现，极端空间天气事件更有可能发生在太阳活动周期的早期或后期——比如刚刚开始的太阳活动。这些发现可能会对美国宇航局主导的阿尔忒弥斯任务产生影响)”可知，美国宇航局领导的阿尔忒弥斯任务可能被推迟是为了避免空间天气的影响。故选B。
【10题详解】
词句猜测题。根据画线词后文“Though there is no set pattern of the events”可知，这些事件没有固定的模式，即最极端的空间天气事件在时间上是没有规律的，故画线词意思是“不规律的”。A. Irregular.不规律的；B. Easy.容易的；C. Limited.有限的；D. Changeless.不变的。故选A。
【11题详解】
推理判断题。根据最后一段“The findings suggest that any major planned space missions , which is beyond the next five years, will have to consider the higher probability of extreme space weather late in the present solar cycle between 2026 and 2030.(研究结果表明，任何重大的计划中的空间任务，也就是未来五年之后的任务，将不得不考虑在2026年和2030年之间的本太阳周期后期出现极端空间天气的更高概率)”可推知，这项研究对今后的空间任务很有用。故选A。
