[bd476]

Space Weather Advisory Bulletin #06- 5 (Widespread voltage probs, higher radiation thru 12-15) ^

[samm1148]

I like these types of stories about real science: It also doesn't give the global warming/bird flu/end of world tin foil hat wearers time to crow about anything.

[bd476]

Central Valley Business Times

Duck! Solar storm heads toward Earth

BOULDER, COLO.
December 14, 2006 11:16am




(NOAA photo)
Our friend Mr. Sun is having a tad of
solar acid reflux.

• Could impact communications

• ‘A rare occurrence’

A significant geomagnetic storm is expected to impact the Earth beginning Thursday, according to forecasters at the NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo.

Impacts from the event can cause problems with high frequency communications, satellite operations and induce currents in power grids.

Scientists say instruments have detected “a powerful and fast-moving coronal mass ejection directed toward Earth with this activity.”

“It is a rare occurrence to have a strong event like this so late in the solar cycle,” says NOAA Space Weather Forecaster Larry Combs.

“With the space shuttle in orbit and astronauts working on continued construction of the International space station, NASA is watching the activity with great interest,” he says.

“NASA officials said they did take precautions to avoid the effects of the radiation storm from the solar flare by having the astronauts aboard the International Space Station and shuttle Discovery sleep in protected areas of their respective spacecraft overnight.”

Duck! Solar storm heads toward Earth

[sionnsar]

Good thing your flight home isn't so far north...

[kalee]

ping

[Pamlico]

I am confused. Is this the fault of Bush or has Rove gone wild with his weather controller?

[upchuck]

I was trying to listen to Rush this afternoon in the van. The radio was full of static and buzzing sounds. Very unusual. I wondered why. Maybe this is why?

[aomagrat]

Foolish Humans! Soon our coronal mass ejection ray will destroy you and the Earth will be ours!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pylon]

Doomed, Were.

[Poundstone]

Since it's now Thursday night (EST): have there actually been any problems reported due to this solar flare?

I haven't read of any -- just the warnings.

[bd476]

Current NOAA Scales Activity
Range 1 (minor) to 5 (extreme)
NOAA Scale	Past 24 hours	Current
Geomagnetic Storms
Solar Radiation Storms
Radio Blackouts

NOAA Space Weather Scales

The NOAA Space Weather Scales were introduced as a way to communicate to the general public the current and future space weather conditions and their possible effects on people and systems. Many of the SEC products describe the space environment, but few have described the effects that can be experienced as the result of environmental disturbances. These scales will be useful to users of our products and those who are interested in space weather effects. The scales describe the environmental disturbances for three event types: geomagnetic storms, solar radiation storms, and radio blackouts. The scales have numbered levels, analogous to hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes that convey severity. They list possible effects at each level. They also show how often such events happen, and give a measure of the intensity of the physical causes.

The NOAA Space Weather Scales tables are shown below.

Geomagnetic Storms: disturbances in the geomagnetic field caused by gusts in the solar wind that blows by Earth.	G1	G2	G3	G4	G5
Solar Radiation Storms: elevated levels of radiation that occur when the numbers of energetic particles increase.	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5
Radio Blackouts: disturbances of the ionosphere caused by X-ray emissions from the Sun.	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5

[CaptRon]

Well, I know 3 of my satellite stations went out today, and right in the middle of a Martha Stewart biography!

[Defiant]

Will it mess up my zzarpuarea wsa askjfaeio satellite internet?

[Lazamataz]

I hate the sun.

I want to put it out.

[Lazamataz]

atmospheric magnetic sensors oscillated wildly

I used to oscillate wildly.