Sunglasses needed
Posted on 05/15/2005 8:26:41 PM PDT by bannie
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.”)
(Excerpt) Read more at noaanews.noaa.gov ...
"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...?
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.
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.
It's all Bush's fault.
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! :-)
Here's a good one: http://www.thunderbolts.info/tpod/2004/arch/041015solar-tornado.htm
[...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!
:^)
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.
looks like a good place to send our enemies to
Posted.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1403806/posts
I hear crow can be good, try a little horseradish.
Will we see aroura borealis in southern california?
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.
Tou know, that thing could be responsible for all the global warming we've been having!
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.)
Whoops, Tou = You!
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