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.
Just in Time for the Michigan primary races.
Sunspot 1092, a key player in yesterday's Earth-directed eruptions, is big enough to see without the aid of a solar telescope. Oleg Toumilovitch "spotted" it on July 31st rising over Blairgowrie, South Africa:
Thank goodness I live on the dark side of the Earth.
In short, we have just witnessed a complex global eruption involving almost the entire Earth-facing side of the sun.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by the event is heading directly for Earth: SOHO movie. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when it arrives on or about August 3rd.
Are we all going to die tomorrow or not?
1... That's "affect", not "effect".
2... The area facing the sun - Duh.
3... Which area is that, pray tell?
Okay, so should we be preparing for this or is it just a really cool thing to teach in my homeschool?
Some of us will never die...
Says who: Jesus Christ..:)
But it’s not 2012 yet!!! The Mayans LIED! (Or was it Bush?)
Search “September 2, 1859” to learn about the biggest solar event in recorded history. The magnetic storm wrought havoc with the newly invented telegraph (aka the “Victorian internet”).
Some of us will; most won’t.
PLACE MARKER
Great, we have a Primary Election tomorrow!
I’m hoping for another CME on Nov. 2.
a “Congressional Mass Ejection”.
Goodbye everybody!................Been nice KNOWING ya'll!................
Probably not, but if this:
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/kp_3d.html
turns from green to yellow to red, chances are good you may be seeing strange lights in the sky if you live in the northern latitudes. And it won’t be Bush’s fault.
Uh, the LIGHT side?..................
So what time is this going to hit what part of earth and how long does it last?
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