Raging storm in space

[tw]

In another example of little money spent for so much result is the SOHO satellite that predicted the biggest solar flare strike on the earth every observed. Notice how little disruption because the event was predicted and planned for. First at strike occured when noontime was over Japan. Japan lost one satellite - either permanently or temporarily. A previous solar flare had once caused massive power failures in Quebec. This time nothing. Even PJM was able to take appropriate action:

10/29/2003 PJM EMERGENCY PROCEDURE MESSAGE --

As of 0222 hours, a Solar Magnetic Disturbance - Conservative Operation Action has been issued to protect the power system from damage or disruptions due to increased solar magnetic activity.

But SOHO is not NASA. It was launched by ESA - European Space Agency. Little bucks; no humans; near disaster; big results.

How potentially destructed was this massive proton strike? I have never seen the chart this red from 'Todays Space Weather' subpage at:
http://www.sel.noaa.gov/SWN/

[HungLikeJesus]

This is actually quite interesting.

I can't believe it's waited over five years for the first response.

[ZenGum]

I haven't seen that much red since the last stock market report...

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

This is actually quite interesting.

I can't believe it's waited over five years for the first response.

"It" wasn't waiting. WE were waiting.

OK, UT you can pull the plug now. Last one out kill the lights.