Space Weather

tw · 04-10-2001, 06:01 AM

About 25 years ago, astronomers have been charting and numbering sunspots. Currently there are satellites, including but not limited to Solar Max, which monitor the sun. Almost two weeks ago (thursday), sunspot 9393 spit out a world record mass. The radiation hit the earth immediately. Fortunately the mass was not directed at earth. However when it slammed into the earth's magnetosphere, its strength was so great as to saturate local satellite detectors.

Geomagnetic storm activity was rated at extreme - Category 5 -
"Biological: unavoidable high radiation hazard to astronauts on EVA (extra-vehicular activity); high radiation exposure to passengers and crew in commercial jets at high latitudes (approximately 100 chest x-rays) is possible."
"Satellite operations: satellites may be rendered useless, memory impacts can cause loss of control, may cause serious noise in image data, star-trackers may be unable to locate sources; permanent damage to solar panels possible."

Radio Blackouts resulted the following Saturday and Sunday - if your radio uses the ionosphere. Aurora Borelius was so strong (Kp=9) that it was photographed in San Diego and Mexico.

Sunspot 9415 just ejected more mass Monday morning - this time headed in earth's direction. Wednesday arrival expected. Radio blackouts Monday only rated strong - S3 - meaning that the strength of this ejection is no where near as strong - but significant.

Most never noticed this activity since we often listen only to local broadcasts. For listening to NYC AM radio, time signals, and international broadcasts, this has been a nuisance. To satellite operators, many have been temporarily shutdown to preserve the birds. To electric transmission - the previous world record in 1989 caused an eastern Cananda power pool blackout.

For a quick weather report:
http://www.sel.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/
For more weather information:
http://www.spaceweather.com/
For aurora pictures:
http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_31mar01.html

About 15 Feb, the Sun's magnetic poles just reversed. This occurs just at the period of most sun instability. IOW we are just after the peaks on the sun's 11 year sunspot cycle.

04-10-2001, 06:01 AM	#1
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	About 25 years ago, astronomers have been charting and numbering sunspots. Currently there are satellites, including but not limited to Solar Max, which monitor the sun. Almost two weeks ago (thursday), sunspot 9393 spit out a world record mass. The radiation hit the earth immediately. Fortunately the mass was not directed at earth. However when it slammed into the earth's magnetosphere, its strength was so great as to saturate local satellite detectors. Geomagnetic storm activity was rated at extreme - Category 5 - "Biological: unavoidable high radiation hazard to astronauts on EVA (extra-vehicular activity); high radiation exposure to passengers and crew in commercial jets at high latitudes (approximately 100 chest x-rays) is possible." "Satellite operations: satellites may be rendered useless, memory impacts can cause loss of control, may cause serious noise in image data, star-trackers may be unable to locate sources; permanent damage to solar panels possible." Radio Blackouts resulted the following Saturday and Sunday - if your radio uses the ionosphere. Aurora Borelius was so strong (Kp=9) that it was photographed in San Diego and Mexico. Sunspot 9415 just ejected more mass Monday morning - this time headed in earth's direction. Wednesday arrival expected. Radio blackouts Monday only rated strong - S3 - meaning that the strength of this ejection is no where near as strong - but significant. Most never noticed this activity since we often listen only to local broadcasts. For listening to NYC AM radio, time signals, and international broadcasts, this has been a nuisance. To satellite operators, many have been temporarily shutdown to preserve the birds. To electric transmission - the previous world record in 1989 caused an eastern Cananda power pool blackout. For a quick weather report: http://www.sel.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/ For more weather information: http://www.spaceweather.com/ For aurora pictures: http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_31mar01.html About 15 Feb, the Sun's magnetic poles just reversed. This occurs just at the period of most sun instability. IOW we are just after the peaks on the sun's 11 year sunspot cycle.

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