Magnetic-Shield Cracks Found; Big Solar Storms Expected

[Dover]

Magnetic-Shield Cracks Found; Big Solar Storms Expected


Victoria Jaggard in San Francisco
National Geographic News

December 17, 2008

An unexpected, thick layer of solar particles inside Earth's magnetic field suggests there are huge breaches in our planet's solar defenses, scientists said.

These breaches indicate that during the next period of high solar activity, due to start in 2012, Earth will experience some of the worst solar storms seen in decades.

Solar winds—charged particles from the sun—help create auroras, the brightly colored lights that sometimes appear above the Earth's poles.

But the winds also trigger storms that can interfere with satellites' power sources, endanger spacewalkers, and even knock out power grids on Earth.

"The sequence we're expecting … is just right to put particles in and energize them to create the biggest geomagnetic storms, the brightest auroras, the biggest disturbances in Earth's radiation belts," said David Sibeck, a space-weather expert at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

"So if all of this is true, it should be that we're in for a tough time in the next 11 years."..cont'd

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/081217-solar-breaches.html

[BeFree]

1. Hey, sun

Bring it on.

Actually, please, go easy on us, dude.

[NMDemDist2]

2. I love your posts

even this one

:hug:

[Dover]

3. Awwww....

t'anks :hug:

[pnorman]

4. I can't wait to hear Ms. Palin's first-hand report on this!

n/t

pnorman

[MikeNearMcChord]

6. Put some magic mushrooms in her soup, and enjoy the spectacle.

[HillWilliam]

8. But, then, like also, she would start talking and also ... n/t

[seemslikeadream]

11. I hear she can see the sun from Alaska

at least a couple months of the year

[xchrom]

5. ok -- that's scary. nt

[Astrad]

7. 2012! The Mayans were right! n/t

[Phoonzang]

9. Great....we just can't get a break can we?

This planet bites, lets ditch it and get a new one.

[Indenturedebtor]

10. MMmm haven't the cracks always been there?

Isn't this based on a new study?

[eppur_se_muova]

12. Keptain, our shields cannae take the strain much longer! nt