Why space weather models need more than open code

What is it about?

When a solar storm sweeps towards Earth, it is not apps that are used to predict its impact, but rather massive numerical simulations. These are programs that can take days to run on supercomputers. Heliophysics, the study of the Sun's influence on space near Earth, relies heavily on these models. Funding agencies now demand compliance with open science, which is typically interpreted as depositing code in a public repository. However, a survey of almost 30 modelling teams found that merely uploading code is insufficient. Models are not data analysis software. They require in-depth expertise, substantial computing power and storage capacities that are beyond the reach of most users. A team of over 80 researchers summarised findings from a community workshop held in 2024 into four concrete goals: making models more widely available via specialised simulation service providers; standardising the validation of models; facilitating collaborative development; and strengthening partnerships with operational forecasting centres. Each goal requires sustained funding and proper credit mechanisms, not just mandates. Without these, open science risks producing compliance on paper while practice remains unchanged. The quality of the next solar storm forecast will depend on today's decisions about infrastructure, recognition, and shared responsibility.

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Photo by Jan Huber on Unsplash

Photo by Jan Huber on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Space weather models are complex scientific instruments that cannot be made widely usable by code releases alone; they require funded infrastructure, community validation standards and credit systems to develop. For funders and policymakers, this shifts the focus from whether the code is publicly available to whether it can be used by anyone. The real challenge for the field is to build the shared platforms and incentives needed to turn compliance into genuine scientific progress.