Gotta watch for those sun spots …
Via Doc Searles, looks like we’re in for a blow … the Earth that is, and the blow … radiation from solar storms:
| Sunspot 930 has just unleashed another big solar flare, an X3-class explosion at 0240 UT on Dec. 13th. |
| As a result of the blast, a radiation storm is underway. Based on the energy and number of solar protons streaming past Earth, NOAA ranks the storm as category S2: satellites may experience some glitches and reboots, but astronauts are in no danger. |
| The explosion probably hurled a coronal mass ejection toward Earth. (Confirmation from SOHO is still pending.) Sky watchers should be alert for auroras when it arrives on Dec. 14th or 15th. |
This could be a fun time. We’re entering a pretty darn active period for old Sol. These blasts of radiation can interrupt satellites, communications, even power transmission. What can we do? Pretty much nothing. Okay except watch the Aurora Borealis, which should be pretty darn impressive.
Tags: solar flares, solar storms, Aurora Borealis
2 Comments
We are supposed to be right at solar minimum, but the Sun has let loose some mighty big blasts the last week or so. The 24th Cycle, though, is about to get going (and may have already started), and early predictions are that it may be a doozy.
You are so right. I can’t imagine, actually I can, what havoc we might see.