Biggest solar storm in years reaches Earth
Posted: Fri, Feb 18, 2011, 5:33 AM ET (1033 GMT)
The biggest solar storm in four years passed the Earth on Thursday but with only limited reports of adverse effects. Solar-observing spacecraft witnessed a series of coronal mass ejections in recent days, including the strongest storms seen since 2006. Charged particles associated with the storms passed the Earth on Thursday, and while there were some reports of shortwave radio interference there were no indications of more severe effects, such as the failure of power grids that have occurred with stronger storms. The Sun is approaching another peak in activity in its 11-year cycle over the next two years.
The biggest solar storm in four years passed the Earth on Thursday but with only limited reports of adverse effects. Solar-observing spacecraft witnessed a series of coronal mass ejections in recent days, including the strongest storms seen since 2006. Charged particles associated with the storms passed the Earth on Thursday, and while there were some reports of shortwave radio interference there were no indications of more severe effects, such as the failure of power grids that have occurred with stronger storms. The Sun is approaching another peak in activity in its 11-year cycle over the next two years.
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