Sun erupts in biggest storm in years

[central scrutinizer]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/10/28/solar.flare/index.html

excerpt:
Tuesday, October 28, 2003 Posted: 4:30 PM EST (2130 GMT)
(CNN) -- One of the largest known
solar flares erupted from the sun
on Tuesday, heralding a storm of
superheated gas that could hit
Earth within a day.

The outburst was classified an X17.2 flare,
making it the third largest on record, according
to Paal Brekke, a project scientist with the
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a
sun-watching satellite mission jointly run by
NASA and the European Space Agency.

In comparison, two solar storms observed last
week were between X1 and X5, Brekke said.

Solar flares unleash X-ray blasts and proton
showers that have the ability to affect satellite
radio communications and Earth-based
electrical systems within minutes.

end excerpt.

Of course, this is all Clinton's fault.

[proud patriot]

1. geez that's huge

:wow:

[karlschneider]

2. Oh, great. Bunnypants wasn't content to dis most of the Earth, he had to

piss off the sun. :eyes:

[Gman]

3. It's Clinton's penis' fault

to be specific.

[goobergunch]

4. Is the magnetic field of this perpendicular to that of the Earth?

Because if it is, we're royally screwed.

[GOPFighter]

5. Don't these trigger Auroura Borealis displays?

I haven't seen a northern lights display for over 20 years.

[Bandit]

7. Usually when something like this happens it is cloudy but not so now

I will be watching for the display. They are usually quite pronounced during a solar flare. :bounce: :bounce: They are an incredible display of nature, as good or better than a rainbow.

[central scrutinizer]

6. more info and pix here:

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/

[proud patriot]

10. Wow Awesome pictures

:hi: Thanks

[jus_the_facts]

11. this site has some cool pix too....

www.spaceweather.com

......lots of the auroras and other stuff too. :)

[MaineDem]

8. This could be massive, folks

According to NOAA, a G5-class geomagnetic storm can have the following effects:

Power systems: Widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur, some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage.

Spacecraft operations: May experience extensive surface charging, problems with orientation, uplink/downlink and tracking satellites.

Other systems: Pipeline currents can reach hundreds of amps, HF (high frequency) radio propagation may be impossible in many areas for one to two days, satellite navigation may be degraded for days, low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours, and aurora has been seen as low as Florida and southern Texas (typically 40 degrees geomagnetic lat.).

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0310/28flare/

[Algorem]

9. What about pacemakers?Cheney won't be leaving the Dick-cave.

[Cooley Hurd]

12. That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes...

Could this be the harbinger of the End Times? I mean, we are sooo due for apocalyptic annihilation...

[dArKeR]

13. Sun hurls huge magnetic cloud toward Earth - Mirror. For those who don't

click on CNN.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/24by7panews/page.cfm?objectid=13566411&method=full&siteid=50143

[neverforget]

14. Solar storm? This calls for a tax cut! It cures everyhting else....

:eyes: But in all seriousness, DAMN! That's a big storm headed our way! :wow: