Posted on 08/02/2010 1:26:03 PM PDT by TaraP
On Sunday, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory detected a complex magnetic eruption on the sun. The NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) also spotted a large coronal mass ejection (CME) The eruption happened around (3:50 am EST), the SDO detected a C3 class solar flare originating from a group of sunspots (called sunspot 1092). The flare itself was not that large, but the filament located about 70,000 miles away erupted at the same time.
A filament is a large, bright feature extending outward from the Sun's surface, often in a loop shape.
Filament is anchored to the Sun's surface in the photosphere, and extends outward into the Sun's corona. It is a long magnetic structure rising above the surface of the sun, filled with cool plasma.
The flare and filament erupted at the same time, this suggests they are connected by long-range magnetic field lines. Some believe the flare may have accelerated the eruption of the filament. Eventually, a giant magnetic bubble of plasma broke and blasted out into space.
The problem is, the eruption occurred on the side of the sun facing earth which means, the Coronal Mass Ejection is on its way to the planet earth.
It's expected arrival is Aug. 3. This is known as a geomagnetic storm, and they have been known to cause electrical power outages and damage communications satellites. They drive shock waves which produce energetic particles that can be damaging to both electronic equipment and astronauts that venture outside the protection of the Earth's magnetic field.
Expect the government and all observatories to be on high alert.They know a CME is coming, they can probably prepare for its arrival. The reason I find this particular story interesting is because the event being discussed continues to happen more frequently, and on a larger scale than prior events of such a magnitude. Is our solar system going through a time of great change? Should we spend more time laying under the stars?
We will see how this particular CME effects earth on August 3rd. It will effect the area of earth facing the sun.
Wonder how this will affect the Space Station. Is that cooling system back up at the ISS or are they up for a heck of an episode?
As long as it’s before 1:00 pm. Anything after that and I’m still going to have to sit through a crap meeting. I’d rather not spend an eternity thinking “wow my last hour on Earth was spent staring at a stupid power point presentation that I didn’t care one bit about”
What about the dems October surprise?
Maybe the West Coast...
Not sure if I am having a hallucination! but I am in Southern Cal (San Diego) and the Sky does not look right, We have many beautiful Clouds although very srange shapes and the Sky looks lower it truly does..
It just looks like it has moved..Very strange.
Look on the bright side. At least there will be no Palestinian State!.................
60's Acid flashback?.............
Bawhahahhaha...damn that was good!! LOL!
That’s impressive to see it like that without a telescope.
“C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth”
Good page to teach from:
http://spaceweather.com/glossary/flareclasses.html
We have to wait and see how much mass was ejected from the filament eruption.
Yeah, it happens every year. Unplug your toaster.
Now that's a really silly question. Just switch to SPF 40! Oh, and drink plenty of fluids.
Expect some Democrat somewhere to cite this as how the electronic ballot box concluded "the wrong guy" won.
“....and the Sky looks lower it truly does..”
The sky is falling!
LOL..No... really that is what the Sky looks like...
“....and the Sky looks lower it truly does..”
The sky is falling!
He passed that info along via Paul of Tarsus ...
If you can see the “spot” on the sun from earth with the naked eye, does not that mean it (the light and associated EM energy) has already arrived? Does not EM energy travel at the speed of light?
I’m tossing the BS flag on this photo. Maybe some astro-physicist will tell me otherwise....
Well maybe...
Record Collapse of Earth’s Upper Atmosphere Puzzles Scientists
By SPACE.com Staff
posted: 15 July 2010
04:03 pm ET
An upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere recently collapsed in an unexpectedly large contraction, the sheer size of which has scientists scratching their heads, NASA announced Thursday.
The layer of gas called the thermosphere is now rebounding again. This type of collapse is not rare, but its magnitude shocked scientists.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/puzzling-collapse-earth-atmosphere-100715.html
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