Largest Solar Flare Ever Recorded (X30-X40) DOES have an Earth-Directed Component

Solar-Terrestrial Dispatch Mailing List ^

[John H K]

The X18+ solar flare has been associated with a high velocity FULL HALO coronal mass ejection. There IS an Earthward directed component. Estimated plane of sky velocity for this event is 2381 km/sec, although it is probable the true velocity is above 2400 km/sec because there is some evidence for acceleration of the CME.

True x-ray intensity is unknown, but is probably near the X30 x-ray level (possibly between X30 and X40). VERY impressive event! Definitely one for the record books.

We have no idea yet when this one might impact the Earth or how strong the impact might be. We're waiting for a bit more data to arrive before we start the number crunching.

[per loin]

It could reach here before dawn on the west coast, possibly before 5AM.

[Frank_2001]

Lead hats might be better for this one;)

[per loin]

There is also the possibility that this new one could hit along with one of the smaller ones still moseying our way.

[California74]

Oh! Now I get it! Thanks for explaining it in English and with such humor!

When will it reach earth (or has it already?)

[mhking]

Solar X-Rays:
Geomagnetic Field:

From n3kl.org

[eldoradude]

Dasch-hole is deeply saddened...

[Robert A Cook PE]

93 million miles divided by 2200 km/? equals something in Candaianainainain units.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Think of a guy sitting in the middle of a fast turning merry-go-round.

If you're walking in a cicrle around the merry-go-round, and he throws a bucket of paint put at you, only a small part of the whole mass (mess ?) of paint is actually going to hit your small part of the whole circle at exactly the same second you are present.

So, even though many millions of tons of matter (hydrogen gas and helium) are thrown out from the sun, only a little bit will actually hit the earth since we're this far out.

And, like the splash of paint, it will arrive in a slowly curving arc or spray of tiny droplets of gas - not a single asteroid-solid glob.

It can cause radio and satellite and electronics problems though.

[Barnacle]

Ping

If you want on or off my Aurora Ping List, Please send a Freepmail.

[Robert A Cook PE]

PLease check that tealcandtrip is on the list. She's a junior astrophysics/math major.

[Barnacle]

What makes you think she'd like this kind of stuff?

?;^)

(Done)

[CathyRyan]

Dig your holes! We're all going to DIE!>

Good news! It will save me from a hangover tomorrow. :)

[Lawdoc]

"The X18+ solar flare has been associated with a high velocity FULL HALO coronal mass ejection. There IS an Earthward directed component. Estimated plane of sky velocity for this event is 2381 km/sec, although it is probable the true velocity is above 2400 km/sec because there is some evidence for acceleration of the CME.

Ok...now explain this in terms that I might understand, please!"

Simply put...Incoming and fast too!

[Heff]

thank you

[Heff]

Our goose is not cooked. But it could have been.

What's the worst that could happen to earth and us humans with one or two of these flares?

[Wacka]

Ok...now explain this in terms that I might understand, please!

Really big solar ZOT!

[Doctor Stochastic]

...should be fun to watch as the planet turns...

Should be fun to watch "As The World Turns" too, if one likes soap operas.

[Lawdoc]

By and large we are OK because of the Earth's magnetic field acting to protect us.

Some have speculated that if there were a flare of sufficient size (this one does not even come close to qualifying) it could destroy the atmosphere and make the planet uninhabitable. Again, this flare is not the so called "kill shot" some have worried about.

[Walkingfeather]

and maybe fry a space station?

[Slip18]

Is the magnetic field similar to having our shields up a la Star Trek?