A Statistical Analysis of Heliobiology: Exploring Connections Between Space Weather and Human Health

Solar storms are highly complex and powerful phenomena that have a significant impact on the Earth and the solar system at large. As scientists are learning more about the interaction of the sun and the Earth, some are turning their attention to the impacts that space weather might have on human health. This discipline of research on how the sun can directly affect biological organisms is called Heliobiology. The purpose of this study is to take a statistical approach to understand if there are any correlations between significant space weather events and human health. This will be accomplished by collecting data of solar activity from the solar cycle 23 minimum, and the maximum period of solar cycle 24, and comparing this data to cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) across regions of differing latitudes in the United States. Space weather data will be focused on periods of high KP and AE index, as well as the specific dates significant space weather events. The results of this study will be used to further investigate multiple variables and time frames to attempt to understand any correlations between space weather and human health that may exist.