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NOAA ISSUES SPACE WEATHER WARNING
NOAA Magazine ^ | 16MAY05 | NOAA

Posted on 05/15/2005 8:26:41 PM PDT by bannie

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Forecasters at the NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo., observed a geomagnetic storm on Sunday, May 15, which they classified as an extreme event, measuring G-5—the highest level—on the NOAA Space Weather Scales. (Click image for larger view of the sun from the SOHO spacecraft of the intense solar activity taken May 15, 2005, at 7:50 a.m. EDT. Click here to view high resolution version, which is a large file. Click here to view latest images. Please credit “SOHO.”)

"This event registered a 9 on the K-Index, which measures the maximum deviation of the Earth's magnetic field in a given three-hour period," said Gayle Nelson, lead operations specialist at NOAA Space Environment Center. "The scale ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest. This was a significant event."

Possible impacts from such a geomagnetic storm include widespread power system voltage control problems; some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage. Spacecraft operations may experience extensive surface charging; problems with orientation; uplink/downlink and tracking satellites. Satellite navigation may be degraded for days, and low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours. Reports received by the NOAA Space Environment Center indicate that such impacts have been observed in the United States.

NOAA forecasters said the probability of another major event of this type is unlikely, however, other minor level (G-1) geomagnetic storms are possible within the next 24 hours.

This event was forecast by NOAA as the result of a solar flare that occurred on Friday, May 13.

The NOAA Space Environment Center, one of the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction, is home to the nation's early warning system for solar activities that directly affect people and equipment on Earth and in space. The NOAA Space Environment Center’s 24/7 around-the-clock operations are critical in protecting space and ground-based assets. Through the SEC, NOAA and the U.S. Air Force jointly operate the space weather operations center that continuously monitors, analyzes and forecasts the environment between the sun and Earth. In addition to the data gathered from NOAA and NASA satellites, the center receives real-time solar and geophysical information from ground-based observatories around the world. NOAA space weather forecasters use the data to predict solar and geomagnetic activity and issue worldwide alerts of extreme events.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine resources.

I wonder what the actual experienced events were...?

1 posted on 05/15/2005 8:26:41 PM PDT by bannie
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To: bannie
I wonder what the actual experienced events were...?

Well, it's actually all over and has been for hours.

I was going to post on it very late last night but I was bitter I was clouded in and wouldn't see any aurora, and had to go to sleep anyway, so I didn't...wish I had, there was a bright aurora viewed even in Southern California, hope people interested didn't miss it.

2 posted on 05/15/2005 8:28:49 PM PDT by Strategerist
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To: Strategerist
OK...but I wanna' know what the manifestations WERE!

:p
3 posted on 05/15/2005 8:29:56 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: bannie


Sunglasses needed
4 posted on 05/15/2005 8:30:24 PM PDT by John Lenin (The Mainstream Media needs to be crushed !)
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To: bannie

http://www.spaceweather.com


5 posted on 05/15/2005 8:31:38 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Life's a beach - and Liberals are like the sand that gets in your swimsuit...)
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To: bannie
"This event registered a 9 on the K-Index, which measures the maximum deviation of the Earth's magnetic field in a given three-hour period," said Gayle Nelson, lead operations specialist at NOAA Space Environment Center. "The scale ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest. This was a significant event."

Possible impacts from such a geomagnetic storm include widespread power system voltage control problems; some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage. Spacecraft operations may experience extensive surface charging; problems with orientation; uplink/downlink and tracking satellites. Satellite navigation may be degraded for days, and low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours. Reports received by the NOAA Space Environment Center indicate that such impacts have been observed in the United States.

6 posted on 05/15/2005 8:32:23 PM PDT by John Lenin (The Mainstream Media needs to be crushed !)
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To: bannie

From a practical point of view, nothing.

Since that big blackout in the 70s power companies are much more attuned to the problem, no blackouts I know of.

No satellites were trashed that I know of yet...

While this was big it wasn't the biggest CME impact ever, too.


7 posted on 05/15/2005 8:34:54 PM PDT by Strategerist
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To: bannie

It's all Bush's fault.


8 posted on 05/15/2005 8:35:54 PM PDT by spinestein
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To: bannie

Boy, based on my background in science from my lifelong love for Marvel Comics, I'd say there's a decent chance we got a few new super heroes and supper villains coming! :-)


9 posted on 05/15/2005 8:36:50 PM PDT by HitmanLV
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To: Keith in Iowa

Here's a good one: http://www.thunderbolts.info/tpod/2004/arch/041015solar-tornado.htm


10 posted on 05/15/2005 8:38:03 PM PDT by RazzPutin ("You have told us more than you can possibly know." -- Niels Bohr)
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To: John Lenin

[...widespread power system voltage control problems; some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage. Spacecraft operations may experience extensive surface charging; problems with orientation; uplink/downlink and tracking satellites. Satellite navigation may be degraded for days, and low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours.]


Dogs and cats living together. MASS HYSTERIA!

:^)


11 posted on 05/15/2005 8:38:08 PM PDT by spinestein
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To: Strategerist
There was a wonderful aurora visible in the Pocatello area last December. The colors were primarily green. It was amazing to see what looked like green rays of "sunshine" coming through holes in the clouds...but there were no clouds.

I saw the Kp pop up last night, but it hadn't peaked to 9. I went to to bed. Too bad. It would have been pretty good.

12 posted on 05/15/2005 8:40:01 PM PDT by Myrddin
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To: John Lenin

looks like a good place to send our enemies to


13 posted on 05/15/2005 8:40:12 PM PDT by injin
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To: spinestein
Satellite TV gets knocked out during these storms, I have cable, so I'm not worried ...
14 posted on 05/15/2005 8:40:40 PM PDT by John Lenin (The Mainstream Media needs to be crushed !)
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To: bannie; Strategerist

Posted.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1403806/posts

I hear crow can be good, try a little horseradish.


15 posted on 05/15/2005 8:41:24 PM PDT by djf (Sheep logic, or why sheep aren't mathematicians: I'll give up my freedom to preserve freedom)
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To: bannie

Will we see aroura borealis in southern california?


16 posted on 05/15/2005 8:41:25 PM PDT by Walkingfeather (q)
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To: Myrddin

I saw that the CME impacted around 11PM Eastern last night; (Really fast, ahead of schedule, sign of strength) but the earth's magnetic field stayed North till 1AM, so nothing happened till then. However I was totally socked in by clouds in MD and saw I would be all night, so I didn't stay up.


17 posted on 05/15/2005 8:41:33 PM PDT by Strategerist
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To: John Lenin

Tou know, that thing could be responsible for all the global warming we've been having!


18 posted on 05/15/2005 8:45:27 PM PDT by spoiler2
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To: Walkingfeather
Will we see aroura borealis in southern california?

You could have seen one in the wee hours of the morning last night. This was taken in the Anza-Borrega desert of Southern California:

Unfortunately the storm is long over long over, no chance to see any more aurora in Southern Latitudes. This may have been the last chance to see an Aurora in Southern California for the next decade, as this Solar Cycle is waning (actually unusual to have a strong storm like this so long after Solar Max.)

19 posted on 05/15/2005 8:46:15 PM PDT by Strategerist
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To: spoiler2

Whoops, Tou = You!


20 posted on 05/15/2005 8:47:41 PM PDT by spoiler2
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