Abstract

The Coronal Mass Ejections and Solar Energetic Particles (COMESEP) project is developing tools for forecasting geomagnetic storms and solar energetic particle (SEP) radiation storms. By analysis of historical solar and interplanetary data, complemented with the extensive data coverage of solar cycle 23, the key ingredients that lead to geomagnetic storms, SEP events and the factors that are responsible for false alarms are being identified. Based on the insights gained, and making use of algorithms for the automated detection of CMEs, forecasting tools for geomagnetic and SEP radiation storms will be developed and optimised. Validation and implementation of the developed tools into an operational Space Weather Alert system will be performed. COMESEP is a unique cross collaboration effort and bridges the gap between the SEP, CME and terrestrial effects scientific communities. The role of the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO) in addressing some of the goals of this project are highlighted in this paper. In particular, USO is engaged in studying the CMEs associated with eruptive filaments. We describe the studies undertaken to understand space weather effects related to these CMEs.